VICTORIA — British Columbia is expected to start informing people over age 80 about their vaccinations for COVID-19 starting next week as the province prepares to open mass clinics while doing more in-depth testing for variants.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says B.C. is in a phase of “vaccine hope and pandemic reality” but an age-based immunization plan will remain in place despite some calls to prioritize essential workers.
Henry says the province is expanding its pool of immunizers to include dentists, midwives and paramedics before 172 sites open up to eventually offer a vaccine to everyone age 18 and up.
However, she says it’s concerning that cases of variants like the one first identified in the United Kingdom are increasing after an unknown number were recently identified at seven schools in the Fraser Health region.
Earlier in the day, one B.C. senior told CHEK News he felt in the dark about when he would receive his vaccine.
“I can go out, but I’m scared to go,” said Joseph Nestor, 95.
Nestor, who lives in the assisted facility The Peninsula, said he’s careful where he goes these days, preferring to shop late at night when there are few people in the stores.
He lives independently but shares meals with other residents in main dining room.
Although half the facility’s residents received the vaccine on Jan. 22 in addition to all the staff, there is still no word on when her dad will receive his.
“And I understand the residents [who] were vaccinated on Jan. 22 are getting their second shot on March the 5th. Yet there is no date for people like my dad, and the other residents that are living in independent living in the same building,” Nestor said.
Earlier this year, the province unveiled a plan that included a timeline for vaccinating seniors living in the community beginning in mid-February.
On Monday, B.C.’s deputy provincial officer, Dr. Reka Gusfason, admitted she doesn’t know when the schedule for vaccinating seniors 80years and up will be.
“I’m actually not sure when the announcement is going to happen. We are certainly working on it, and we expect to be able to give you information in the next couple of weeks, but I don’t have an exact date on that,” Dr. Gustafson said.
B.C.’s interim Liberal leader, Shirley Bond, said that’s not good enough.
“The government has had a year. It’s not a surprise that there’s going to be the need for a vaccination plan. I think that if you have someone that’s over 80 years old in your family, you’re feeling pretty concerned right now,” Bond said.
B.C. has recorded 559 new cases and one more death, for a total of 1,336 fatalities since the start of the pandemic.
The teachers’ union has called on the province to allow school districts to come up with their own guidelines on mandatory masks for elementary schools but Henry says her current directive was made with the participation of parents’ groups, teachers and school superintendents.
With files from The Canadian Press.
Mary Griffin
