The First Nations Health Authority started providing emergency vaccines to the Snuneymuxw First Nation to help protect members as a COVID-19 outbreak grows.
“As of today the updated number is 21 confirmed cases so they are still climbing,” said Snuneymuxw First Nation Chief Mike Wyse. “Within seven days we’ve gone from one to 21.”
Jack and Eddie Seward were among the first people on the Snuneymuxw reserve to get the Moderna shot.
Because of rising cases, First Nations Health Authority and Island Health brought in 470 doses — enough to vaccinate 84 percent of those living on reserve. It’s the first time vaccine rollout has been altered to deal with a cluster.
“We’re going to be very interested to see how providing vaccine in the face of a cluster impacts the transmission in the community and ultimately the outcomes,” said Dr. Shannon McDonald, chief medical health officer of the First Nations Health Authority.
Elders and those with compromised immune systems were at the front of the line.
Snuneymuxw Chief Michael Wyse was also vaccinated.
“It’s a big sense of relief for sure knowing that we have some safety in place and our people are being looked after, our vulnerable, so we’re very happy that they were able to get that shot today,” said Wyse.
It’s a feeling echoed by some of the others who got vaccinated today who are worried about COVID-19’s spread.
“It’s spread pretty quickly, almost like wildfire. I’m glad. I’m just hoping everybody else gets it as quick too,” said Thomas Seward.
“I guess I felt vulnerable the other day compared to today. I kind of protected with the first shot but I’m still going to have to watch myself until I get the second shot,” said John Seward.
By Wednesday’s end, nurses had given vaccines to 250 people with another clinic on the reserve set for Thursday.
It’s been two weeks since people started getting vaccinated on Vancouver Island.
Kendall Hanson
