Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 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

7 COVID19 deaths for Friday

7 COVID19 deaths for Friday
The viral vector vaccine produced by Oxford-AstraZeneca and the Verity-Serum Institute of India vaccine. This is very encouraging news for everyone in British Columbia.

7 COVID19 deaths for Friday

Fugitive Arrested In Connection To International Multi-kilo Cocaine Investigation at YVR

Fugitive Arrested In Connection To International Multi-kilo Cocaine Investigation at YVR
Wong was charged in July 2012 after the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) approved charges for conspiracy to traffic cocaine, conspiracy to import cocaine and possession of a loaded prohibited firearm.

Fugitive Arrested In Connection To International Multi-kilo Cocaine Investigation at YVR

Burnaby RCMP arrest woman for the assault of a senior

Burnaby RCMP arrest woman for the assault of a senior
The elderly woman did sustain injury. Police believe the attack to have been unprovoked and both the suspect and the victim were unknown to one another.

Burnaby RCMP arrest woman for the assault of a senior

Economists forecast rebound for B.C. in 2021

Economists forecast rebound for B.C. in 2021
Robinson heard today from economists on the province's Economic Forecast Council who estimate B.C. is on track for real GDP growth of 4.7 per cent this year and 4.3 per cent next year, before growth slows.

Economists forecast rebound for B.C. in 2021

Hospice society gets final notice to vacate space

Hospice society gets final notice to vacate space
Fraser Health says it has ended its $1.5-million annual service agreement with the Delta Hospice Society, which was originally notified a year ago to vacate the premises.

Hospice society gets final notice to vacate space

Blair says Beijing visa applications secure

Blair says Beijing visa applications secure
Blair says he can only make assumptions because the arrangement was put in place in 2008, under the previous Conservative government.

Blair says Beijing visa applications secure