You’ve surely all heard that Quebecers 85 and older are now eligible to get vaccinated, and that those between 70 and 84 will be soon. Still, being eligible and actually getting vaccinated are two different things. The hurdles in the way are not insignificant.
First there’s the fact that the government wants you to register for vaccination through a website. We know very well that many of you don’t have computers or internet. There is a phone number to call and we would be curious to hear if anyone has used it and had success registering that way. The number is:
1-877-644-4545 (toll-free line from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday or 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday).
The Quebec government is not, at this point, offering to vaccinate people in their homes, even though many seniors have mobility issues. Seniors in Verdun keep hearing about the mass vaccination site at the Olympic Stadium and wondering if the government really expects them to go there!
On your behalf we tried going on the website first thing Thursday morning and by entering a Verdun postal code, we were able to learn that the closest sites to us are: the Glen; the Montreal General; and the Palais des congress. Those who live in Lasalle or elsewhere will likely get different recommended sites.
In order to register on your site you will need to provide your Medicare number, date of birth, and your parents names.
Many of you have some familiarity with the new hospital at the Glen, but that’s not to say getting there to be vaccinated will be a breeze. There is some talk of opening smaller vaccination clinics in pharmacies and such, but that may not happen for weeks. So unfortunately if you want to be vaccinated sooner rather than later, a certain amount of travel will be required. We have drafted a letter* (signed by Pastor Beryl and Dennis Brown) to Isabelle Melancon, provincial MNA for Verdun, gently suggesting that we need at least one site within Verdun - and we don’t mean Nun’s Island!
If you have any mobility troubles you should get someone to drive you and go in with you. (That person can even register to be vaccinated themselves if they are over 70). The good thing about a hospital setting is that you should be able to get hold of a wheelchair; take it, because chances are the vaccination site will be a trek from the parking garage.
There has been no suggestion that parking will be free at these sites (the Big O has given in to that demand, however). I would hold on to your receipt if you pay for parking because there may be some kind of reimbursement later. I would do the same if you end up taking a taxi: get a receipt!
If anyone reading this needs help registering or getting to an appointment, contact the office. We will do our best to help.
- Amy
*click below to see the English version of the letter, which was also sent in French.