Quebec's Health Minister Yves Bolduc and chief public health officer Dr. Alain Porier shake hands following a news conference in Quebec City Thursday. (CBC)

Thanks to the mass vaccination of the population, the second wave of the swine flu is over in Quebec, said Health Minister Yves Bolduc Thursday.

It is also unlikely the province will be hit by a third wave of the flu because so many people were vaccinated against the H1N1 virus, Bolduc said.

The minister met with the media in Quebec City to provide an update on the province’s vaccination campaign.

More than 4.3 million Quebecers, or 57 per cent of the population was vaccinated against the flu, Bolduc said.

The turnout is unprecedented, and will pay off in the long term said Quebec’s chief public health officer Dr. Alain Poirier.

Bolduc rejected suggestions that the province had overreacted to the swine flu.

It spent $200-million on a campaign that involved mass vaccination clinics, millions of doses of vaccine and extensive advertising, The virus was responsible for 82 deaths in the province during its second wave.

“If we had many deaths today, people would be saying that we should have done more, if we had done nothing,” Bolduc said.

Although the risk of catching swine flu is reduced, Bolduc said those who still have not been vaccinated against the virus should contact their local CLSC to find out where they can get the shot.

He said occasional cases of the virus are still likely to occur.

Seasonal vaccination to start

The minister also confirmed the province will go ahead with its seasonal flu campaign starting Monday.

The campaign, which usually begins in October, was delayed in order to focus on fighting the swine flu.

The vaccine will be offered free of charge to people at-risk for the seasonal flu including children between the ages of six and 23 months, seniors over 60, people with chronic illnesses and family members of those considered at-risk.

Even those who were vaccinated against the H1N1 vaccine, should be vaccinated against the seasonal flu, said Quebec’s chief public health officer Dr. Alain Poirier.

"The vaccine against the seasonal flu doesn’t provide protection against the pandemic flu and vice versa," Poirier said.

The seasonal flu will be offered free of charge to at-risk populations at doctors offices and CLSCs.