In BC vaccine clinics are open to all Indigenous people 55+

(ANNews) – On Saturday, March 20, all Indigenous people living in BC aged 55 or older are eligible to register for a COVID-19 first-dose vaccination.

BC’s announcement to accelerate their provincial vaccination rollout plan comes after the province was sent an additional 500,000 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

In a smilier change, the province announced an expansion of their vaccination plan for frontline workers and those with extreme clinically vulnerable conditions. Clinics for these prioritized individuals will use the new AstraZeneca vaccines.

It was also announced that Indigenous people aged 18 and older will be eligible for immunization starting April 6.

Both Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, and Premier John Horgan, reminded people of the importance of continuing to follow public health guidelines for the time being even if they have been vaccinated.

“This is incredibly important,” said Dr. Henry. “We still have a lot of transmission. It takes time for immunization to protect me as an individual, but even when a group is immunized, not everyone is fully protected. The virus can still be transmitted, although the vaccines protect us from severe disease, hospitalization and death.”

Vigilance needs to be the order of the day,” said Premier Horgan. “British Columbians have done a spectacular job – let’s not let each other down now.”