Yanick Labrie, MA | Health Economist, Yanick Labrie Consultant Inc. |
ABSTRACT –
Seasonal influenza remains one of Quebec’s most persistent public health challenges. Despite annual vaccination campaigns and improved surveillance, it continues to exact a substantial toll on population health, hospital capacity, and economic productivity. During the 2024 influenza season, this study estimates that Quebec experienced approximately 8,860 hospitalizations, 1,570 ICU admissions, 46,800 emergency department (ED) visits, and nearly 80,000 physician consultations. In addition, over 400,000 symptomatic cases occurred without medical consultation—most among working-age adults and children—illustrating the broad reach of the virus across all segments of the population. The total economic burden of influenza in Quebec for 2024 is estimated at $655 million, including:
- $107 million in direct medical costs — hospitalizations, intensive care, emergency room visits, and physician consultations;
- $295 million in productivity losses — absenteeism among workers and caregivers;
- $253 million in premature mortality losses — reflecting the discounted value of future earnings and unpaid productive activities lost due to influenza-related deaths.
Older adults (65 years and over) account for 31% of this total burden, while working-age adults (20–64 years) generate most of the productivity losses. This dual pattern underscores influenza’s twofold impact: clinical in seniors and economic in the workforce. The 2024–2025 influenza season—marked by record emergency room congestion—demonstrates how recurring surges in respiratory infections strain hospital capacity and disrupt broader health services. These pressures highlight the importance of prevention strategies that go beyond clinical care to include robust vaccine logistics and equitable access to enhanced formulations, such as high-dose and adjuvanted vaccines. Quebec’s decision to again offer free influenza vaccination to all residents aged six months and older in 2025–2026 represents a meaningful step toward broader coverage. However, access to these enhanced vaccines remains largely restricted to adults aged 75 and over, even though evidence indicates that broader use among adults 65 years and older would provide stronger immune protection and greater population-level benefits. A more comprehensive vaccination strategy—combining timely vaccine rollout, expanded eligibility for enhanced formulations, and targeted public communication on influenza’s broader health impacts—could substantially reduce hospital pressures, improve health outcomes, and strengthen both Quebec’s healthcare resilience and economic productivity.
Citation: Labrie, Yanick. (2026). The Economic Burden of Seasonal Influenza in Quebec: Updated Estimates and Policy Implications. Canadian Health Policy, JAN 2026. www.canadianhealthpolicy.com.