The main goal of COVID-19 vaccination is to reduce the complications, hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19. Vaccination may also prevent symptoms that last several months after infection, also called “long-COVID”.
Who can get the COVID-19 vaccine
In fall-winter 2025-2026, COVID-19 vaccination will be offered free of charge to the following individuals:
people residing in CHSLDs, RPAs, or other group settings with a high proportion of elderly and vulnerable individuals;
people aged 65 and over;
people aged 6 months and over who are immunocompromised, on dialysis, or living with a chronic illness;
pregnant women;
adults living in remote and isolated areas;
healthcare workers.
The number of doses and the intervals between doses depend on the person's age, vaccination history, and health status.
The COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for people aged 6 months and older who wish to reduce their risk of complications, but it is not available free of charge. To find out the cost of the vaccine, contact your pharmacy or medical clinic.
interval to receive a new vaccine
A person should wait 6 months after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine before receiving another dose. The same interval is recommended following infection with COVID-19.
However, vaccination remains safe for people who cannot determine whether they have contracted COVID-19 in recent months.
COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 messenger RNA vaccines are distributed in Québec and can be administered from the age of 6 months.
How vaccines work
When a person is vaccinated against COVID-19, the body prepares its defence against the virus. A natural immune response is triggered that neutralizes the virus by producing antibodies and other defence cells.
The virus that causes COVID‑19 is composed of a strand of genetic material, RNA (ribonucleic acid), surrounded by an envelope. The surface of the virus contains proteins, including the S protein (spike protein) which gives it its crown shape, hence its name coronavirus. The S protein allows the virus to infect cells in the human body.
COVID-19 messenger RNA vaccines block the S protein, preventing the virus from entering and infecting human cells.
These vaccines do not protect against colds and respiratory infections caused by other viruses, such as influenza.
Vaccines cannot cause COVID-19 because they do not contain the SRAS-CoV-2 virus, which is responsible for the disease.
Reactions after vaccination
Vaccination may cause side effects such as redness at the injection site. Other problems may arise by chance and are unrelated to vaccination, such as a cold or gastroenteritis.
Most reactions are mild and short-lived. Local reactions may occur up to 8 days after vaccination. They are most common after the second dose. For further information, please refer to the Vaccine information sheets for population.
Proof of vaccination COVID-19
Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is no longer required for travel outside Québec. The Vaxicode application and the self-service portal for electronic proof of vaccination are no longer available.