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Province says all who want COVID-19 vaccines will have them by September

The second phase of the largest immunization rollout in B.C. history is now underway.

According to the province, you will be vaccinated for COVID-19 by September, if you want to be.

From March to early April, the plan is to immunize more than 400,000 British Columbians.

They’ll include seniors ages 80-plus and hospital staff who are not yet immunized, vulnerable populations, and Indegenous people aged 65-plus.

Supplied by the Province of British Columbia.

Phase 3 is from April to June and will include people ages 60 to 79 in five-increments, starting with the oldest people first.

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Phase 4 is from July to September and will be for people from 18 to 59 in five-year-increments, starting with the 55-59 age group.

“At every step of the way, we are putting the health and safety of British Columbians first,” said Premier John Horgan.

“B.C. was one of the first provinces to lay out our vaccine plan, and now we’re moving to Phase 2 to reach even more of our seniors and Elders. We’re getting vaccine into arms as fast as we can, given early supply delays from manufacturers, and we’re seeing it start to make a difference for people and their communities throughout our province.”

Those in Phase 2 receiving their first vaccine dose in March and early April include:

  • seniors and high-risk people residing in independent living and seniors supportive housing (including staff);
  •  home-care support clients and staff;
  • Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) peoples born in or before 1956 (65 years and older); 
  • And seniors born in or before 1941 (80 years and older).

Health Minister Adrian Dix says the pandemic “has been incredibly difficult for all of us,” adding that he’s proud of B.C.’s health-care workers “who continue to work around the clock to safely and efficiently deliver the vaccine to British Columbians throughout the province.”

“We are eager to put the pandemic behind us and today marks a major step towards keeping British Columbians safe from COVID-19.”

First-dose immunizations begin today for those living and working in independent living centres and seniors’ supportive housing, as well as home-care support clients and staff.

Health authorities will directly contact those in this priority group to book appointments – no need to call.

Beginning March 8th, seniors aged 80-plus and Indigenous peoples aged 65-plus who are not living in independent living or seniors͛supportive housing can make one call to book their appointment through their local health authority call centre according to a staggered schedule.

This is to avoid long waits and system overload. 

Immunization clinic locations will be confirmed at the time of booking, with vaccinations starting as early as March 15th.

  • March 8th: Seniors born in or before 1931 (90 years-plus)/Indigenous peoples born in or before 1956 (65 years-plus) may call to book their vaccine appointment;
  • March 15th: Seniors born in or before 1936 (85 years-plus) may call to book their vaccine appointment; and
  • March 22nd: Seniors born in or before 1941 (80 years-plus) may call to book their vaccine appointment.

“This immunization process is a massive undertaking and I thank the regional health authorities, the thousands of health-care workers and medical staff, our colleagues in the Ministry of Health and the many community partners who help us to deliver care and who have been working tirelessly throughout this pandemic for their dedication and support,” said Dr. Penny Ballem, executive lead for B.C.͛s immunization plan.

“Phase 2 is right on schedule, and we are working closely with each of the regional health authorities to make sure that they have the tools and resources needed to safely and efficiently book appointments.”

Health authority contact information, complete call-in schedules, hours of operations and step-by-step instructions on how to call to book an appointment for themselves, for a family member, for a friend or neighbour will be available on March 8th here.

Provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry says we can now see the light at the end of what has been a difficult and challenging time for us all. 

“To get us through, we need to continue to work together and support each other,” Dr. Henry said.

“We are working hard each and every day to make sure that everyone who wants a vaccine gets one, and my new provincial health officer order significantly expands the range of health professions and occupations who can support our immunization clinics, including dentists, midwives, pharmacy technicians, paramedics, firefighters and retired nurses.”

For health professionals who want to sign up to support B.C.’s immunization efforts as immunizers, click here.

Immunizing other priority groups identified in Phase 2, many of whom have already received their first dose, is also underway, including: 

  • Indigenous communities, Indigenous Elders, hospital staff, community general practitioners and medical specialists not immunized in Phase 1;
  • vulnerable populations living and working in select congregate settings; and
  • staff in community home support and nursing services for seniors.

In Phase 3, people will register and book their appointments to receive their first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine through an online registration tool. 

People born between 1942 and 1946 (ages 79-75), and Indigenous people born between the years of 1956 and 1960 (ages 64-60), will be able to register for an appointment online or by phone by March 31st.

As of Feb. 26th, 252,373 people in B.C. have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, including 73,808 who have received their second dose.

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