Some Quebecers Can Get Vax Passports Even If They Didn't Get 2 Doses Of Approved Vaccines

With Quebec's vaccine passport system officially in effect, the Ministry of Health and Social Services has outlined two groups that can get vaccine passports even though they don't meet the typical requirements.

Those with "contraindications" that prevent them from getting a COVID-19 vaccine and those who participated in Medicago's clinical trial are being considered "exceptional cases," according to a press release from the ministry.

A contraindication is a condition that significantly increases the risk of serious side effects from a vaccine. According to the ministry's website, this includes people with suppressed immune systems due to cancer or HIV.

If you had an immediate severe allergic reaction to your first vaccine dose, you might also qualify as having a contraindication.

To get a vaccine passport, people with contraindications will bring proof of their contraindication — which must be certified by a health professional authorized to make a diagnosis — to a vaccination clinic. A new option will soon be available for this on Clic Santé, the ministry said.

Once entered into the registry, these individuals will get a QR code. "The protection status of these individuals will be displayed in green, allowing them to access and participate in activities that require the vaccine passport," reads the ministry's statement.

Similarly, people who participated in the Medicago Inc. clinical trial for the research and development of a COVID-19 vaccine will receive a QR code despite Medicago not being one of five vaccines recognized by the Quebec government for the purposes of the vaccine passport.

The recognized vaccines are double doses of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Covishield or one dose of Johnson & Johnson.

The ministry said Medicago participants will receive more details shortly.

Health Canada has a robust website with all the latest information on COVID-19 vaccines and can answer any questions you may have.