As Quebec's 'Unvaxxed Fee' Leads To An Increase In First-Dose Appointments, Canada Claims Vaccine Requirements Are Effective
The province of Quebec's health minister said Wednesday that first-time appointments surged in the hours after the announcement, one day after the ministry declared it would financially penalize residents who remain unvaccinated.
"It's reassuring!" Christian Dube, Quebec's health minister, tweeted that Tuesday's first-dose appointments were the highest in several days.
The fee for people who have not been vaccinated would not apply to those who have a medical exemption, and no figures have been released, but officials have said the amount will be "substantial."
While nearly 90% of eligible Quebecers have gotten at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, the unvaccinated remain a burden on the province's public health system, according to the Quebec government.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a Covid-19 conference on Wednesday that he couldn't comment on whether Quebec's financial penalty for the unvaccinated was a smart policy because he needed more information.
Trudeau emphasized that Canada has strong immunization requirements in place for airline and train passengers, federal employees, and federally regulated enterprises.
"And for those who continue to delay or refuse to get vaccinated, they are losing privileges to do certain activities, such as board a train or a plane, travel internationally, or advance in a public-sector job."
At a news conference on Wednesday, Trudeau acknowledged that the best way to incentivise the unvaccinated is still up for dispute.