B.C. announces details of phase 2 of vaccination plan

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

“There is light at the end of tunnel, but we are far from out of this. We have months to go,” said Horgan.

Limit to 30% Allotted Water

Further water restrictions coming for North Okanagan agricultural properties, special meeting with details scheduled

1h ago

Water Capacity, Systems Evaluations

Coldstream seeking public input for water supply consideration

2h ago

A River Runs Through It

Semi truck knocks over hydrant, floods 32nd St

3h ago

First responders and essential workers may be eligible to get vaccinated starting in April, and in mid-April, Phase 3 will begin for people aged 60 to 79.

Health officials now expect everybody in B.C. that is eligible should be able to get a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by late July.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says there are now three safe and highly effective vaccines to use: Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca, along with another version of the AstraZeneca vaccine by the Indian pharmaceutical company Serum Institute of India and sponsored by Verity Pharmaceuticals in Canada.

“Once we know how much we’ll be receiving in B.C. and when, we will be able to further expand who will be receiving vaccines,” Henry said.

Henry also announced the province is extending the interval between first and second doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to four months, up from the suggested 42 days.

“This gives us a very real benefit to everybody in B.C. That means we can move everyone up the list and more people will be protected sooner,” Henry remarked.

Henry added the National Advisory Committee on Immunization is expected to issue a statement to align with B.C.’s decision.

The province’s mass vaccination strategy expects to immunize more than four million B.C. residents over the age of 18 by late September.

About 275,000 B.C. residents been vaccinated so far.

== More details of Phase 2 of B.C.’s vaccine roll-out ==

Those in Phase 2 receiving their first vaccine dose in March and early April include:

* seniors and high-risk people residing in independent living and seniors’ supportive housing (including staff);

* home-care support clients and staff;

* Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) peoples born in or before 1956 (65 years and older); and

* seniors born in or before 1941 (80 years and older).

On March 1, 2021, first-dose immunizations begin for those living and working in independent living centres and seniors’ supportive housing, as well as home-care support clients and staff. Health authorities will directly contact those in this priority group to book appointments – no need to call.

Beginning March 8, 2021, seniors aged 80+ and Indigenous peoples aged 65+ who are not living in independent living or seniors’ supportive housing can make one call to book their appointment through their local health authority call centre according to a staggered schedule. This is to avoid long waits and system overload. Immunization clinic locations will be confirmed at time of booking, with vaccinations starting as early as March 15, 2021:

* March 8, 2021: Seniors born in or before 1931 (90 years+) and Indigenous people born in or before 1956 (65 years+) may call to book their vaccine appointment;

* March 15, 2021: Seniors born in or before 1936 (85 years+) may call to book their vaccine appointment; and

* March 22, 2021: Seniors born in or before 1941 (80 years+) may call to book their vaccine appointment.

“This immunization process is a massive undertaking and I thank the regional health authorities, the thousands of health-care workers and medical staff, our colleagues in the Ministry of Health and the many community partners who help us to deliver care and who have been working tirelessly throughout this pandemic for their dedication and support,” said Dr. Penny Ballem, executive lead for B.C.’s immunization plan. “Phase 2 is right on schedule, and we are working closely with each of the regional health authorities to make sure that they have the tools and resources needed to safely and efficiently book appointments.”

Health authority contact information, complete call-in schedules, hours of operations and step-by-step instructions on how to call to book an appointment for yourself, for a family member, for a friend or neighbour will be available on March 8, 2021, here: www.gov.bc.ca/bcseniorsfirst

“We can now see the light at the end of what has been a difficult and challenging time for us all. To get us through, we need to continue to work together and support each other,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer. “We are working hard each and every day to make sure that everyone who wants a vaccine gets one, and my new provincial health officer order significantly expands the range of health professions and occupations who can support our immunization clinics, including dentists, midwives, pharmacy technicians, paramedics, firefighters and retired nurses.”

For health professionals who want to sign up to support B.C.’s immunization efforts as immunizers, visit: https://forms.hlth.gov.bc.ca/registry-covid-19

Immunizing other priority groups identified in Phase 2, many of whom have already received their first dose, is also underway, including:

* Indigenous communities, Indigenous Elders, hospital staff, community general practitioners and medical specialists not immunized in Phase 1;

* vulnerable populations living and working in select congregate settings; and

* staff in community home support and nursing services for seniors.

In mid-April, Phase 3 will begin mass vaccination of people aged 79 to 60 years, and people aged 16+ who are extremely clinically vulnerable, at community immunization clinics throughout B.C. Mobile clinics will be available in some rural communities and for people who are homebound due to mobility issues.

In Phase 3, British Columbians will register and book their appointments to receive their first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccine through an online registration tool. People born between 1942 and 1946 (ages 79-75), and Indigenous peoples born between the years of 1956 and 1960 (ages 64-60), will be able to register for an appointment online or by phone by March 31, 2021.

As of Feb. 26, 2021, 252,373 people in B.C. have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, including 73,808 who have received their second dose.

To learn about B.C.’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan and the Phase 2 rollout, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/bcseniorsfirst
And: www.gov.bc.ca/covidvaccine