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

Researchers looking at COVID-19 in teachers

Researchers looking at COVID-19 in teachers
About $2.9 million will be spent on the research in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec as part of the work of the national COVID-19 immunity task force.

Researchers looking at COVID-19 in teachers

Vaccines for variants won't take as long: Sharma

Vaccines for variants won't take as long: Sharma
The decision should help the regulator authorize the boosters for use in Canada much quicker and is in line with the process used to approve new flu vaccines each year.

Vaccines for variants won't take as long: Sharma

Extended dose intervals for COVID-19 vaccines to optimize early vaccine rollout and population protection in Canada

Extended dose intervals for COVID-19 vaccines to optimize early vaccine rollout and population protection in Canada
Current evidence suggests high vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic disease and hospitalization for several weeks after the first dose, including among older populations.

Extended dose intervals for COVID-19 vaccines to optimize early vaccine rollout and population protection in Canada

Winter supply of Chinook important to orcas: study

Winter supply of Chinook important to orcas: study
All 14 stocks of chinook salmon that are preferred by whales are threatened, he said. These fish would move in and out of inshore waters at different times of the year and ensure a steady supply of food for the orcas.

Winter supply of Chinook important to orcas: study

B.C. targets gun violence in new legislation

B.C. targets gun violence in new legislation
Farnworth, who is also public safety minister, says in a statement the majority of gun owners in B.C. abide by the law and the legislation will have little impact on them.

B.C. targets gun violence in new legislation

542 COVID19 cases for Wednesday

542 COVID19 cases for Wednesday
“Of the active cases, 246 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 64 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation“. 

542 COVID19 cases for Wednesday