Despite Public Health’s call for vaccination against respiratory viruses, an 87-year-old woman was unable to receive her doses while she was hospitalized. Without vaccination coverage, she contracted COVID-19 during the holidays and almost died.
Paulette Lavigne-Poisson was admitted to Rouyn-Noranda Hospital in October, after falling in her private seniors’ residence (RPA). “She recovers quickly from the fall, but will no longer be independent enough to return to her RPA,” says her daughter, Céline Poisson.
His stay in hospital drags on due to lack of space in a CHSLD. “While she is in the hospital, listening to the oft-repeated recommendations from Public Health, I ask several times that we vaccinate her against COVID-19 and influenza, knowing that she is fragile. Nothing helps,” laments Céline Poisson. She repeatedly went to the nurses’ station and asked the doctors in charge of her mother three times.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Celine Poisson
However, Paulette Lavigne-Poisson was discharged from the hospital at the beginning of December without being vaccinated. She was installed in a temporary room at the CHSLD Pie-XII in Rouyn-Noranda.
“During the holidays, people call me to tell me that my mother is in the emergency room. She couldn’t breathe anymore,” recalls Céline Poisson. At the hospital, the octogenarian tested positive for COVID-19. It turns out that the lady with whom she shared her room in a CHSLD was infected with the virus.
On the other end of the line, the emergency doctor informed Céline Poisson that her mother’s oxygen saturation level was much too low. She offered him comfort care. Mme Poisson hastened to leave Montreal to go to her mother’s bedside in Rouyn-Noranda. “I thought she was dying. »
” It’s absurd ”
In the days that followed, Paulette Lavigne-Poisson slowly regained her strength, then was released from the hospital. Back in the CHSLD, she was still not vaccinated against influenza.
Céline Poisson relaunched her demands last week so that her mother could be vaccinated, after hearing the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, recall the importance of vaccination among vulnerable people.
She called the nurses’ station twice, then contacted the facility’s management.
I don’t understand why we have to insist so much. I do it, but I’m sure there are plenty of people who don’t dare.
Celine Poisson
The head of department finally informed her that her mother’s vaccination should take place this Tuesday. “It’s certain that when you insist, something can happen. But vaccinating a person in a hospital or CHSLD should not be complicated. It’s absurd,” says Mme Fish.
Very present viruses
Called to react, the CISSS de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue declared that it could not comment on a particular situation. However, he maintains that there were three mass campaigns at the CHSLD, on October 4, October 25 and November 22. Arriving at the establishment at the beginning of December, Paulette Lavigne-Poisson missed these vaccination campaigns. A nurse will vaccinate new residents on Tuesday.
Currently, 62% of CHSLD residents in Abitibi-Témiscamingue have received their COVID-19 vaccine, compared to 65% for all of Quebec. “Outbreaks of COVID-19 in CHSLDs explain this rate considering that you have to wait six months between illness and vaccination,” the CISSS media relations team said by email.
Vaccination against influenza has generated greater enthusiasm. Vaccination coverage is 80% for residents of CHSLDs in Abitibi-Témiscamingue and 75% for Quebec.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19 and seasonal flu (influenza) are still very present in the population. At a press conference last Wednesday, the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, invited Quebecers, particularly the most vulnerable people, to make “one last effort on vaccination, particularly for influenza.” “Vaccination remains relevant,” also declared the Dr Luke Boileau, national director of public health.