BC Government has announced the beginning of the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination plan in which 400,000 people will be immunized.
Those who will receive the vaccine in March and early April include seniors and high-risk people residing in independent living and seniors’ supportive housing, including staff.
Indigenous people and seniors above the age of 65 will also be given the vaccine in this second phase.
On March 1, 2021, first-dose immunizations begin 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 8, 2021, seniors aged 80+ and Indigenous peoples aged 65+ who are not living in independent living or seniors’ supportive housing can 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.
Here is a breakdown of immunization plan
March 8, 2021: Seniors born in or before 1931 (90 years+) and Indigenous people born in or before 1956 (65 years+) may call to book their vaccine appointment;
March 15, 2021: Seniors born in or before 1936 (85 years+) may call to book their vaccine appointment; and
March 22, 2021: Seniors born in or before 1941 (80 years+) may call to book their vaccine appointment.
More than 400,000 people in British Columbia will be immunized from March to early April as the Province moves into Phase 2 of the largest immunization rollout in B.C.’s history.
In mid-April, Phase 3 will begin mass vaccination of people aged 79 to 60 years, and people aged 16+ who are extremely clinically vulnerable, at community immunization clinics throughout B.C.
Mobile clinics will be available in some rural communities and for people who are homebound due to mobility issues.