Close X
Thursday, November 28, 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

Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine in Canada?

Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine in Canada?
The province says it is in Phase 1 of its vaccine rollout. Health-care workers on the front lines of the pandemic, staff at long-term care homes, people of "advanced age" and adults in remote or isolated Indigenous communities have priority.

Who can get a COVID-19 vaccine in Canada?

O'Toole spent $3.69 million on leadership bid

O'Toole spent $3.69 million on leadership bid
All leadership candidates for political parties must submit detailed financial returns due six months after the race ends.

O'Toole spent $3.69 million on leadership bid

More must be done on workplace harassment, PM says

More must be done on workplace harassment, PM says
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said late Wednesday that McDonald had "voluntarily stepped aside'' while military police investigate unspecified allegations. He is on paid leave.

More must be done on workplace harassment, PM says

500K of AstraZeneca doses arriving by March: PM

500K of AstraZeneca doses arriving by March: PM
Trudeau spoke on Friday hours after Health Canada announced it had approved a COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca.

500K of AstraZeneca doses arriving by March: PM

Horgan to make announcement about Site C dam

Horgan to make announcement about Site C dam
Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Bruce Ralston said in early January that he had received Peter Milburn's report and called it "helpful."

Horgan to make announcement about Site C dam

Fossil fuel subsidies rise during pandemic

Fossil fuel subsidies rise during pandemic
The IISD report shows Canada spent at least $1.9 billion in direct aid to the traditional energy sector last year, up from $600 million in 2019.

Fossil fuel subsidies rise during pandemic