Premier François Legault says the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine will be made available to younger age groups tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.
The special emergency measures have been prolonged for another week, to May 3, in the regions where the virus and are very prevalent.
Quebecers aged 45-79 will be able to get the shot as of Wednesday morning. Walk-in clinics and clinics that require appointments will have the vaccine available.
However, Health Minister Christian Dubé pointed out that there are 600,000 Quebecers who are newly eligible for the shot but only 200,000 doses available.
He also confirmed that hospitalizations are increasingly that of young adults. On Monday, 77 new hospitalizations, 35 people from 45 to 64 years old, ten people from 18 to 44 years old and two children from 0 to 17 years old.
Until now, the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine has been available only Quebecers between the ages of 55 and 79, in line with recommendations from the National Advisory Council on Immunization (NACI). Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba have announced they would be lowering the eligible age to 40 years and older.
The provincial border still closed
Quebec and Ontario placed limits on crossing the provincial border.
Police checkpoints are set up, allowing people to cross only for work, medical care, transporting goods and exercising Indigenous treaty rights.
People coming to Quebec from Ontario are asked to quarantine at their home for 14 days unless they were there for work, court or medical care.
