Close X
Sunday, November 24, 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

UPDATE: Panorama Ridge Secondary in Surrey on lockdown after an assault with a weapon

UPDATE: Panorama Ridge Secondary in Surrey on lockdown after an assault with a weapon
It is not known what type of weapon was involved in the attack. The person that was injured was taken to hospital and is in stable condition.

UPDATE: Panorama Ridge Secondary in Surrey on lockdown after an assault with a weapon

Meng's lawyer says case against her 'unreliable'

Meng's lawyer says case against her 'unreliable'
Meng was arrested at Vancouver's airport in 2018 on a request by U.S. officials who allege she misrepresented the relationship between Huawei and Skycom, causing HSBC to violate U.S. sanctions against Iran.

Meng's lawyer says case against her 'unreliable'

Former hotel in Vancouver is slated for housing

Former hotel in Vancouver is slated for housing
The City of Vancouver, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. and the federal government say the former Days Inn on Kingsway will be ready to house people in November.

Former hotel in Vancouver is slated for housing

B.C. RCMP investigate child medical distress call

B.C. RCMP investigate child medical distress call
They say the child was taken to a regional hospital where he was in critical condition and not expected to survive.

B.C. RCMP investigate child medical distress call

2nd COVID shot after 4 months in B.C

2nd COVID shot after 4 months in B.C
Seniors aged 90 and up can call to book their appointment starting next Monday, followed a week later by those aged 85 and over.

2nd COVID shot after 4 months in B.C

Risk of COVID death 3.5x higher than flu: study

Risk of COVID death 3.5x higher than flu: study
The numbers put a figure on the severity of the novel coronavirus, which experts have been speaking to since the pandemic began.

Risk of COVID death 3.5x higher than flu: study