Flu vaccine appointments are now open in Quebec as early flu season looms
Appointments are now open for flu vaccines in Quebec as the province's health department warns of an early flu season.
The Quebec health and social services department says vulnerable people should get their shots before the holiday season.
People will be able to get vaccinated for the flu, COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus in the same appointment.
This year, only some vulnerable Quebecers will be eligible for free shots.
This includes people over 65, people who have chronic illnesses and pregnant women.
Others will need to pay for the shots in Quebec.
Most provinces in Canada will start providing the flu vaccine by the end of the month, and respiratory virus specialists say Canadians should get their flu shot as soon as it becomes available.
— With files from Nicole Ireland
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2026.
By Marieke Glorieux-Stryckman | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Ontario's medical regulator approves changes to prescribing safer supply drugs
Ontario's medical regulator has approved significant changes to the way doctors prescribe safer supply drugs, in an effort to reduce the amount of opioids making their way to the streets.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario's board of directors will soon implement several changes to the practice of prescribing safer supply, which are medications given to people at high risk of overdose as an alternative to illicit opioids.
The college will make it mandatory for physicians to prescribe safer supply medications only in conjunction with opioid agonist therapy. The therapy uses medications such as Suboxone and methadone to treat opioid addiction.
The most common form of safer supply is hydromorphone, a powerful opioid often prescribed for pain but significantly less potent than fentanyl and its derivatives that dominate the illicit drug supply chain.
Patients will now have to take the safer supply medications in front of health-care professionals, rather than take the pills home.
The college will not go ahead with an eight-week time limit for physicians to prescribe safer supply to patients it had previously considered.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2026.
By Liam Casey | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Astronaut says it's important there's a Canadian at the International Space Station
Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk says his presence on the International Space Station shows Canada can contribute to the leading edge of space exploration.
The 44-year-old is two weeks into a six-month mission which will see him conduct experiments and research and take part in critical maintenance work.
Kutryk floated inside the station and demonstrated one of the physiological experiments he's taking part in during a news conference with journalists in Longueuil, Que., today.
Kutryk says he's having a blast and it's been life-changing to watch Earth from the station.
But he says it's also an important demonstration that Canada's strong legacy in space will continue going forward.
He launched to space on Oct. 1 as part of NASA Crew 13 in the fastest flight ever to reach the space station, taking just under eight hours.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2026.
— By Kelly Geraldine Malone in Washington
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.