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As the cold season approaches, Santé Québec Abitibi-Témiscamingue is reminding the public about the importance of vaccination in reducing the risks associated with respiratory viruses that circulate each year during the fall and winter. The vaccination campaign against influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is aimed particularly at people who are at greater risk of developing complications.

Starting October 13, new appointment time slots will be available on the Clic Santé portal for vaccinations beginning October 20. Eligible individuals will be able to make an appointment at various service points across the region or at participating pharmacies.

Make an appointment now

• By phone: 1 866 497-1114 (toll-free)
• Make an appointment online through the Clic Santé portal

For more information, visit the Screening and vaccination – Local service points and Respiratory infections pages.

Recommended protection for people at risk

Vaccination against influenza, COVID-19 and RSV remains one of the most effective ways to prevent serious complications, hospitalizations and deaths associated with these infections.

Vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 is available free of charge to targeted groups, including people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, people living with diabetes or a chronic illness, as well as those with weakened immune systems or heart, lung or kidney disease. The RSV vaccine is primarily intended for people aged 75 and over, a group that is particularly at risk of complications.

Receiving several vaccines during the same appointment remains safe and provides adequate protection against respiratory viruses more quickly.

On January 22, 2026, the CISSS de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue received guidelines from the headquarters of Santé Québec clarifying the transitional arrangement that will be implemented to facilitate access to health services in Ontario for residents of southern Témiscamingue.

This arrangement stipulates that residents wishing to access health services in Ontario must inform the CISSS de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, which will help document the situation. Furthermore, residents will be guided so that the institution can provide support with billing and compensate for the difference in rates for the services concerned. This temporary arrangement will be in place until a permanent solution is adopted, following the work of a working committee.

Early next week, the CISSS of Abitibi-Témiscamingue will communicate with the public to clarify the implementation procedures that will be put in place in the following days. You are encouraged to stay tuned for further communications on the institution's website and Facebook page.

If you have any questions : transfertmedtk@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Cold weather generally means an increase in infections and higher patient volume in emergency rooms. To help you avoid unnecessary wait times, the CISSS of Abitibi-Témiscamingue offers a guide to assess the severity of your health problem and limit the spread of viruses.

What should I do about my health problem?

Learn more about the infection you have

In the fall and winter, respiratory viruses such as the flu (influenza) or COVID-19 are at their most prevalent. If you have one of these infections or another common health problem, learn about how to treat it at home, what symptoms to watch for, and when you should see a healthcare professional. You can find this information in the Tools section on the Alternatives to Emergency Room page.

Learn about alternatives to emergency care

If you or someone close to you has contracted a virus, learn about the medical resources and services available outside of the emergency room by visiting the Alternatives to the Emergency Room page . Pharmacies , in particular, offer a wide range of services that may save you a visit to the doctor.

Learn more about how the emergency services work

Do you feel your condition requires a visit to the emergency room? Consult the pages Before You Go to the Emergency Room and The Emergency Room and How It Works to learn what a visit there entails and what the different triage codes mean. If you are unsure, don't hesitate to contact Info-Santé 811 so that a qualified professional can direct you to the appropriate healthcare service.

When temperatures drop, viruses circulate more easily, and the simplest way to protect yourself is to wash your hands frequently. To learn more about good hand hygiene practices, see the page Hand Hygiene: A Shared Responsibility .

In an effort to provide the public with accurate and comprehensive information, the Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) of Abitibi-Témiscamingue would like to address some of the issues raised on social media regarding the service disruption in Ontario.

 If you were receiving care in Ontario and it was interrupted without a transfer to services in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, we encourage you to:

1. Complete the form (English version). For support, call 819-627-3385, ext. 0;
2. Request a copy of your medical records from your doctor;
3. Send the form and your medical file to transfermedtk@ssss.gouv.qc.ca or bring them to the reception desk at the Témiscaming-Kipawa Multiservice Health and Social Services Centre so that information about your needs can be forwarded to the appropriate authorities and you can receive regional care.

Please note that the Service Quality and Complaints Commissioner cannot monitor requests for the transfer of medical records in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Each person involved must take steps to ensure the transfer of their medical care and can only be carried out by the person affected by a service interruption.

If you have other concerns about medical services in Ontario, consult the Questions and Answers section.

To read the press release on the subject : 

Access to health care in Ontario - The CISSS de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue correct the sharing of misinformation