Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. prioritizes clinically vulnerable for vaccine

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Mar, 2021 11:16 PM
  • B.C. prioritizes clinically vulnerable for vaccine

The British Columbia government says it is accelerating the timeline for the COVID-19 vaccine once again, allowing people who are "extremely clinically vulnerable" and some seniors to book their shots earlier than expected.

The Ministry of Health says in a news release that people at higher risk from COVID-19 due to existing medical conditions, including transplant recipients and those with cancer and severe respiratory conditions, will be able to register for their vaccine beginning next Monday.

This group of people was originally scheduled to receive their shots in Phase 3 starting in April, but Health Minister Adrian Dix says the province has made tremendous progress on its age-based program and has additional vaccine supply.

The release says the new timeline means that about 200,000 people in B.C. aged 16 years or older who are clinically extremely vulnerable will receive their first dose of vaccine in the coming weeks.

It says expert physicians have determined those who are most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and the individuals identified will receive a letter in the mail in the coming days on how to book an appointment.

The booking process for vulnerable people will run parallel to the ongoing age-based schedule, which has also been sped up so that 76-year-olds can start booking Wednesday, 75-year-olds on Thursday and 74-year-olds on Friday.

If people who believe they are in that vulnerable group have not received a letter by April 15, the ministry says they can contact the provincial call centre or use the online booking platform set to launch April 6, to confirm they are on the list.

"Since Day 1 of our immunization plan, we have set out to protect those who are most at risk to COVID-19," said Dr. Penny Ballem, executive lead of B.C.'s immunization plan, in the release.

"We used clinical evidence from around the world and clinical expertise and patient registries in B.C. to develop this list and look forward to taking another important step forward in our immunization plan."

Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, said these vaccinations will relieve a significant burden from those who are extremely clinically vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19.

"This is another encouraging step forward for all of us as we continue to ramp up our immunization efforts."

MORE National ARTICLES

Canadian soldier found dead in Afghanistan

Canadian soldier found dead in Afghanistan
He had joined the Armed Forces in 1991 and had deployed on four operational tours. The Defence Department says his body will return to Canada on March 7.

Canadian soldier found dead in Afghanistan

Sajjan aide noted allegations in 2018 email

Sajjan aide noted allegations in 2018 email
Governor-in-council appointments, or GICs, are senior appointments made by the federal cabinet. While Astravas did not include any other details about the nature of the allegation or whom it concerned, the chief of the defence staff is such an appointment.

Sajjan aide noted allegations in 2018 email

PM holds firm on premiers' health-care demands

PM holds firm on premiers' health-care demands
Speaking at a midday press conference, Trudeau said that short-term outlook can't yet give way to longer-term concerns about the effect COVID-19 is having on the Canada's provincially run health-care systems.

PM holds firm on premiers' health-care demands

Two injured after B.C. helicopter crash

Two injured after B.C. helicopter crash
B.C. Emergency Health Services says in a statement that they received a call at about 10 a.m. Friday morning for reports of a downed helicopter on the island off the coast of West Vancouver.

Two injured after B.C. helicopter crash

Dentists, teachers want AstraZeneca shot in B.C.

Dentists, teachers want AstraZeneca shot in B.C.
BC Teachers' Federation president Teri Mooring says her members should be included in the plan expected to be released by the B.C. Immunization Committee by March 18.

Dentists, teachers want AstraZeneca shot in B.C.

What we know about J&J's single COVID-19 shot

What we know about J&J's single COVID-19 shot
The U.S.-based Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency use on Feb. 27.

What we know about J&J's single COVID-19 shot