Close X
Friday, November 1, 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

564 COVID19 cases for Thursday

564 COVID19 cases for Thursday
She says she expects the plan will be finalized around March 18, in the meantime the initial supply will be used to address ongoing outbreaks that are leading to rapidly increasing case numbers in some communities.

564 COVID19 cases for Thursday

One of Canada’s most wanted arrested by Coquitlam RCMP

One of Canada’s most wanted arrested by Coquitlam RCMP
Police attended the residence and through the investigation identified Amin Yussuf, who has four outstanding warrants from a homicide that occurred in Edmonton on March 24, 2019.

One of Canada’s most wanted arrested by Coquitlam RCMP

B.C. expands small business recovery grant program

B.C. expands small business recovery grant program
The province has also extended the deadline for businesses to apply from the end of this month to Aug. 31, or until all the money has been spent.

B.C. expands small business recovery grant program

Vaccine efficacy is being misinterpreted: experts

Vaccine efficacy is being misinterpreted: experts
Many of those who did become infected after getting a vaccine in the trials experienced mild illness, according to the data, which Chakrabarti says isn't a big concern.

Vaccine efficacy is being misinterpreted: experts

East Van intersection re-opened following 24 hour blockade

East Van intersection re-opened following 24 hour blockade
Four people were arrested by Vancouver Police after refusing repeated requests to clear the intersection – a main entrance to the Port of Vancouver and a major intersection in the city.

East Van intersection re-opened following 24 hour blockade

Copper deadly to bacteria, study shows

Copper deadly to bacteria, study shows
As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, TransLink was the first transit agency in North America to test copper on high-touch surfaces.

Copper deadly to bacteria, study shows