B.C. continues to ramp up its COVID-19 immunization program.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix announced yesterday (March 30) Indigenous peoples over 18 years old are now eligible to book appointments to receive their first vaccination.
Others in the province are still asked to only call if you are 73 years and older.
This is an important detail to be buried in the news release: vaccine bookings in each health authority are open for those 73 and older. The biggest update: Indigenous peoples over 18 are also eligible. #bcpoli #covidbc #covid19bc #covid19 #bced #cdnpoli #cityofpg @PGMatters
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) March 30, 2021
However, in the lower mainland, those aged 55 to 65 are eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine at local pharmacies starting today (March 31) as the southern part of the province continues to see hot spots.
“The AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine is another important tool in our immunization program to get us past this surge of COVID-19 cases," Dr. Henry said in a statement.
"We know from the millions of doses used worldwide, and especially in the U.K., it is highly effective and the benefits to those over age 55 far outweigh the very real risks of getting COVID-19."
On Monday (March 29), the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations in Canada recommended that provinces suspend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccines to those under the age of 55 as rare instances of blood clots have been reported in other parts of the world after receiving the vaccine.
Those in the Northern Health Authority can book an appointment by calling 1-844-255-7555 between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.
Officials announced on Monday they would be opening more community-wide immunization clinics in select areas for those over the age of 18 in select communities.
The communities are as follows:
- Hudson's Hope
- Clinic weeks - April 5 and 12, 2021
- Call in date (18 years and older) - March 26
- Chetwynd
- Clinic weeks - April 5 and 19, 2021
- Call in date (18 years and older) - March 27
- Fort St. James
- Clinic weeks - April 5 and 12, 2021
- Call in date (18 years and older) - March 27
- Burns Lake
- Clinic weeks - April 5 and 12, 2021
- Call in date (18 years and older) - March 29
- Southside
- Clinic weeks - April 12 and 19, 2021
- Call in date (18 years and older) - March 29
- Tumbler Ridge
- Clinic weeks - April 12 and 26, 2021
- Call in date (18 years and older) - April 1
- Fraser Lake
- Clinic weeks - April 12 and 19, 2021
- Call in date (18 years and older) - April 2
- Mackenzie
- Clinic weeks - April 12 and 19, 2021
- Call in date (18 years and older) - April 4
- McBride
- Clinic weeks - April 19 and 26, 2021
- Call in date (18 years and older) - April 5
- Valemount
- Clinic weeks - April 19 and 26, 2021
- Call in date (18 years and older) - April 5
"The ‘whole community approach to vaccinating residents all at once is due to population size, remoteness, logistics, and/or accessibility," Northern Health says in a statement.
"These can be expanded to address outbreaks, clusters or high population incidence rates."
Officials are stressing to only call when you are eligible and residents are asked to check the authority COVID-19 information site for the latest details.
The updated vaccine news comes as B.C. continues to see a surge in COVID-19 cases which has prompted officials to begin a three-week circuit breaker to try and stop the rapid growth in transmission.
Included in the amendment, Dr. Henry announced a halt on indoor adult group fitness activities, but individual or one-on-one activities may still take place, also noting that these kinds of settings 'amplify' the spread of COVID-19.
Additionally, indoor worship services have also been suspended days after class variance was given to allow up to 50 people at a time.
"It's with a heavy heart that I say this, but I can not in all conscious, with the increase number of cases we're having, [...] allow these types of activities to happen right now," she said.
"Outdoor worship services may continue as we know it's much safer to have these kinds of activities outdoors."
Dr. Henry adds travel throughout B.C. must now be essential for medical or work-related reasons only.
"Social connection is important, and so is keeping our loved ones and ourselves safe," she said.
"We all have a choice – to stay safe or put our loved ones, our friends and ourselves at risk, which is why non-essential activities need to be limited and need to be outside with the same small number of people. The sacrifices we make today will help all of us to get through this storm."
- with files from Kyle Balzer, PrinceGeorgeMatters
