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

Teachers call for stronger safety measures from PHO as WorkSafe BC reports 250% spike in COVID19 claims

Teachers call for stronger safety measures from PHO as WorkSafe BC reports 250% spike in COVID19 claims
Workers in public school districts have the third highest number of compensation claims, only behind workers in long-term care and acute care settings.

Teachers call for stronger safety measures from PHO as WorkSafe BC reports 250% spike in COVID19 claims

B.C. top doctor appreciated charter rights: lawyer

B.C. top doctor appreciated charter rights: lawyer
In a hearing over a petition challenging Dr. Bonnie Henry's health orders, Gareth Morley told the B.C. Supreme Court that Henry has outlined the reasons for her orders both verbally in public briefings and in writing.

B.C. top doctor appreciated charter rights: lawyer

Police investigate shooting in Newton

Police investigate shooting in Newton
Investigators believe that this was not a random incident. The person who was targeted in this shooting is known to police.

Police investigate shooting in Newton

Two youths arrested in bust of drug cache site

Two youths arrested in bust of drug cache site
Two 16-year-old males were arrested; one is alleged to have been in possession of a loaded handgun at the time of his arrest.

Two youths arrested in bust of drug cache site

Walnut Grove Secondary School evacuated over alleged bomb threat: Langley RCMP

Walnut Grove Secondary School evacuated over alleged bomb threat: Langley RCMP
All students and staff were evacuated safely. The Langley RCMP and Lower Mainland Police Dog Services conducted an extensive search of the school and grounds and deemed the area safe.

Walnut Grove Secondary School evacuated over alleged bomb threat: Langley RCMP

Trudeau Government Extends Wage and Rent Subsidy Amounts Through to June

Trudeau Government Extends Wage and Rent Subsidy Amounts Through to June
Today, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, announced that the government intends to extend the current rate structures for these subsidies from March 14 to June 5, 2021.

Trudeau Government Extends Wage and Rent Subsidy Amounts Through to June