Since the start of the pandemic, this is the day British Columbians have long waited for; news about widespread COVID-19 vaccinations in the province.
Today, Premier John Horgan unveiled a detailed timeline outlining the Province’s immunization rollout strategy.
“Today we are going to talk about how we as British Columbians can all work together to get to that objective that we share, of a province free of COVID-19,” Horgan said during a news conference in Victoria.
Under the province’s new plan 4.3 million adults will receive their first and second vaccine shots by September.
There are no approved COVID-19 vaccines for minors with the exception of some older teens with high-risk conditions.
The plan will roll out in four phases.
Phase one is already underway with residents and workers in long-term care facilities and isolated First Nations communities getting shots. The current phase is expected to continue until the middle of next month. More than 100,000 have been vaccinated so far.
Phase two begins in February and runs through March. In total it will result in 400,000 people vaccinated including seniors over the age of 80, home support staff and nurses caring for seniors.
Phase three starts in April, with vaccination clinics available in 172 communities across BC.
Dr. Penny Ballem, Executive Lead, BC COVID-19 Immunization Plan, said phase three and four will focus on mass vaccinations.
“The kind of clinics we’ll be holding will include school gymnasiums, arenas across the province, convention halls, community halls. Anywhere we can gather medium to very large groups of people,” said Dr. Ballem.
During Phase three, 2.4 million people between the ages of 79 and 60 will be vaccinated in five-year increments.
Then from July to September, another two million people each month – ranging from ages 59 to 18 – will receive their shots, in five-year increments.
The premier said every British Columbian who wants to be vaccinated will have an opportunity.
“By the end of September, everyone who wants a vaccination will have one. And the community immunity that we’re all striving for will be a reality,” Horgan said on Friday.
Starting in mid-February health authorities will contact seniors over 80 years old in order to schedule their first doses of the vaccine.
Later in the month, the province will launch an information campaign for Phase three with specifics on when vaccinations will happen, to whom and where.
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Mary Griffin
