Can I just show up at the clinic to see a nurse without an appointment?

Yes. It is possible to be seen without an appointment but it is better to let us know beforehand, by calling 819-595-0790, to help minimize your wait time. You can be seen by one of our nurses on the same day you call for an appointment. The fee for a consultation with a nurse is $60.

What are the reasons to be seen by a nurse?

If you have concerns about your health or if you are experiencing symptoms, one of our nurses can help you. Marleen Tassé Health Services offers an accessible health care alternative. The accessibility of our services saves you much time and trouble.

Why get a vaccination consultation with the nurse?

Our nurse will be able to provide you with advice on which vaccination you should get for optimal health protection, based on your vaccination record.

I think I know which vaccinations I need, is that enough?

Each place of travel, each destination and each person has its own particularities. A consultation with our nurse is essential to evaluate requirements, recommendations and suggestions relating to immunization.

Is a physician's prescription required for vaccinations?

No prescription is needed to receive vaccinations at Marleen Tassé Health Services.

Does my insurance cover vaccination?

The cost is not covered by the RAMQ. Some private insurance companies offer full or partial reimbursement of these costs. Please check with your insurance company.

Are there any side effects after vaccination?

Post-vaccination symptoms vary from one person to another. Most reactions are local (pain, redness at vaccination site). Sometimes a headache or a feeling of discomfort can occur. The nurse is there for you and will advise of any possible reactions and what to do if symptoms appear.

What if I lost my vaccination record? How do I know if I received a vaccination?

You can request your immunization record by contacting the public health office for your area. You can also contact your CLSC's archives department or the clinic where you received your vaccines.

Can I get more than one vaccine at a time?

When someone is behind in his or her immunization schedule, simultaneous administration of a vaccine can be a catch-up strategy. Generally, all doses of a vaccine for which a recipient is eligible should be administered at a single visit to increase the probability that the person will be fully immunized. Simultaneous administration of vaccines is particularly important for someone preparing for travel or if it is uncertain that the person will be returning for additional vaccination. Most routine vaccine can be safely and effectively administered at the same visit.

Some vaccines are provided as a combination product, allowing more than one vaccine to be given in a single injection. In general, oral, intranasal and parenteral vaccines may be administered at the same visit, with consideration of the minimum age and interval between recommended doses.

Under which circumstances should I cancel my vaccination appointment? If I am ill, can I still get vaccinated?

If you have a fever, it is best to postpone getting your vaccinated. In general, a mild infection without fever, such as a cold, does not constitute a contraindication. For more serious illnesses, or if you are taking prescription medication, our staff will provide guidance on what to do.

What is the difference between a required vaccine, a recommended vaccine, a booster vaccine, and a core vaccine?

Some countries may require proof of vaccination from you. These are "required vaccinations". Some African countries for example, demand a certificate of vaccination for yellow fever to enter the country. Without this document, you could be refused entry into that country or asked to provide a large amount of money, or worse, you could be required to get vaccinated and held there for a few days!

Recommended vaccines are those recommended based on norms by Health Canada and the Institut national de santé publique du Québec to protect you against serious diseases to which you risk being exposed during your travels.

A booster shot is the second dose of a single vaccine administered after an allotted amount of time.

Core vaccinations include all vaccines that are recommended to citizens according to the Quebec immunization protocol. Our experts will offer an update of these vaccines prior to travel (tetanus, measles, poliomyelitis, etc.)

If I do get vaccinated, is it guaranteed that I won't contract the disease (e.g.: shingles, influenza)

Vaccination is the best form of protection against shingles and its complications. In fact, there is a new vaccine, Zostavax®, for the prevention of shingles. It is recommended for people who have already had chicken pox, but particularly for persons 60 years of age or older. The vaccine is not 100% effective, but it reduces the risk of contracting shingles significantly. Furthermore, if shingles should appear in someone who has been vaccinated, the symptoms are often less severe and the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia is reduced as well.

I received the flu vaccine last year but still got the flu, so what's the point?

The flu virus envelope changes from year to year modifying the strains of the virus enough to make the previous year's vaccine ineffective. Those changes are taken into account for the production of new vaccines every year.

The vaccination offers protection against the three strains of the virus that are expected to be more prevalent that season. This is the best way to reduce the risks of contracting influenza and to prevent transmission to other people.

I'm pregnant. Can I still get vaccinated?

Some vaccines cannot be administered during pregnancy. Most of the vaccines that cannot be administered are the ones called "live" vaccines (e.g.: yellow fever, chicken pox, the trio of measles/rubella/mumps.) For other vaccines, you can receive them according to your situation and the risk involved.

I work days; can I get an evening appointment?

Since the demand for these services is growing rapidly, Marleen Tassé Health Services is proud to offer unmatched accessibility for its clients. We are able to answer your requests on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Do I need to fast before getting blood work done?

Most blood tests require an 8-hour fasting period beforehand. However, if your tests include cholesterol testing (lipids profile), a 12-hour fasting period is needed, as well as no alcohol 24 hours prior to your blood tests.

Can I pick up the sample containers needed for my exams, before coming for my blood tests?

Yes. You may come and pick up what is needed and one of our nurses will advise you on how to proceed.

How long will it take before I get the results?

Since we know that your time and health are precious, our blood analysis services are quick and professional. For most analysis (with the private laboratory option), results are sent within 24-48 hours directly to the physician and are also available online for the client.

There is also the option of getting the tests done in a hospital. With this option, however, our clinic does not receive the results and cannot follow up with you; they are sent directly to your treating physician.

Do I need my health insurance card (RAMQ) if I choose the private clinic option?

No. Your RAMQ card is not required for test samples that are sent to a private laboratory.

Is a requisition by my doctor needed for blood tests?

Yes. We accept all medical requisition forms.

Can I get blood tests and vaccinations done during the same appointment?

Yes.

Why should I choose a private clinic for my blood tests?

There is no waiting in line at the CLSC or the hospital. Testing is done in a welcoming and peaceful environment.

Does my insurance cover blood tests and/or vaccinations?

The cost is not covered by the RAMQ. Some private insurance companies offer full or partial reimbursement of these costs. Please check with your insurance company.

We leave next week for our trip. Is it too late to get vaccinated?

We will do our best to help you. It is possible to get vaccinated against certain types of diseases even at the last minute which is better than no vaccination at all. Also, during a consultation, you can always benefit from important health information and receive your medical prescriptions if necessary so that you can fully enjoy your trip. Ideally, however, 6 to 8 weeks prior to travelling is the best time to receive necessary vaccinations and boosters.

As an adult, should I get my core vaccines up to date before flying internationally?

It is important to make sure your vaccinations are up to date no matter your age. A travel health vaccination expert is then your best source of advice!

Make sure you bring your immunization record with you for your travel consultation so that we can better assess your needs.

What is the International Certificate of Vaccination?

The certificate is only valid if the vaccine or prophylaxis used has been approved by the World Health Organization.

The certificate should be signed by the health care provider - physician or other authorized health professional - administering the vaccine or prophylaxis; it should also show the health centre's official stamp. However, the stamp does not replace the signature.

Any changes or deletion on the certificate, or any omission of the required information could invalidate it.

This certificate is valid until the date indicated for the vaccine or prophylaxis administered. It should be either entirely in English or entirely in French. The same certificate can also be in another language, in addition to the English or the French version.

Should I take DUKORAL® every time I leave?

Protection against cholera and travelers' diarrhea caused by ETEC is effective approximately one week after the administration of the last dose.

Protection against travelers' diarrhea caused by ETEC lasts 3 months.

Protection against cholera lasts two years for adults and children 6 years old and older, and six months for children 2-6 years old.

If you have taken DUKORAL® in the past five years, one single booster dosage will renew your protection. Packages with a single booster dosage are available at your pharmacy and should be taken one week prior to leaving on your trip.

Vaccination: is it really necessary? I've always travelled without getting vaccinated and I've never contracted anything.

Depending on your destination, the length of time you are away, the type of travel and your health condition, you may need travel vaccines for protection against debilitating illnesses. These vaccines have a high efficiency rate; for most, effectiveness is between 70% and 99%. Further, protection with some of these vaccines lasts a very long time, up to 20 years for some.

Certain vaccines are mandatory to enter some foreign countries and others are strongly recommended for health protection.

Do children need travel vaccines also?

A child's health is just as fragile as an adult's. It is recommended that all family members receive appropriate protection according to the destination.

I'm planning an all-inclusive trip, but I intend on booking a 4 or 5-star hotel. Should I still get vaccinated?

For all sunny destinations, it is recommended to get booster shots for tetanus, polio, as well as Hepatitis A and B, regardless of hotel quality where you are staying.

Unfortunately, it is common to see tourists who stayed at 4 and 5-star hotels return home with illnesses that could have been prevented with vaccination.

Why screen for sexually transmitted infections (STI, previously known as STD)?

If you think you might have contracted an STI or if you are experiencing symptoms such as vaginal or urethral discharge, or have new lesions on your genitals, it is imperative that you see a doctor and have screening tests done.

STI prevention is important not only for your own general health but also for your partners'. Some STIs can bring serious consequences such as abscesses, ongoing infections, sterility, or in some cases certain cancers. Denying or avoiding an STI puts you and your partners at risk of complications.

STI screening is part of sexual life. If you have a new partner, there is no shame in going together to get tested. This is a way to show how much you care for him or her, and that you are a responsible person.

What are chlamydia infection, gonorrhea infection, etc?

Chlamydia (kla-mid-ee-ah) is a bacterial infection, which can be caused by different strains that can cause different types of infections. While Chlamydia pneumoniae can cause a type of pneumonia, and Chlamydia psittaci can cause another type of pneumonia (associated with being exposed to birds), Chlamydia trachomatis is the one responsible for the STI.

Gonorrhea, also called the clap, the drip, or blennorrhagia, is an STI caused by the Neisseria gonorrheae bacteria.

Do I need a requisition for a Pap test/screening?

A requisition is not necessary to get a Pap test and screening. We offer these services, as well as treatment and follow-up. We will work with your family physician and can, if required, also refer you to a treating physician should you not have a family physician.