COVID-19 booster shots available to British Columbians 12+ by mid-January

The general B.C. population over 12 years of age will receive their COVID-19 booster shots six to eight months after receiving their second dose, the province announced Tuesday.

The province will start distributing boosters through a phased approach, which has already started this month and is expected to run until May. Priority will be based on the interval since someone received their second jab, their risk for contracting the virus, and their age.

According to the province, higher-risk populations are “fully vaccinated populations experiencing breakthrough infections, which cause significant rates of hospitalization and poor outcomes. Largest high-risk populations are the 70+ and Indigenous Peoples.”

The broader population can expect to start receiving invitations in mid-January.

“Most of us have good strong protection, and we don’t need a booster dose rate now. But come next spring it is something that we should consider for longer-term protection,” Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry explained, adding these shots are for people who would like a booster.

NOTE: two doses will continue to be the standard for being considered fully vaccinated – like for vaccine passports.
DBH also reminding vaccines are not 100% protection so additional protections measures needed if at high risk / where greater transmission#bcpoli @CityNewsVAN

— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) October 26, 2021

“I absolutely recommended for people who are over age 70 in the community, for people in long term care and assisted living, for Indigenous people who we know are differentially affected and for a variety of reasons … and for healthcare workers who were immunized early on.”

Younger age demographics will get an update on COVID-19 related recommendations as we enter the new year.

The process of getting kids aged five and up vaccinated is underway in B.C., and parents can pre-register their kids online on the B.C. government’s website. Parents will be notified of eligibility to book an appointment once the vaccines are approved for use by Health Canada.

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Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said she hopes to offer COVID vaccines for kids five to 11 by November.

B.C.’s estimated immunization timeline (Courtesy B.C. Provincial Health)

Earlier this month, people living in B.C.’s long-term care and assisted living centres started receiving their third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as well as people who are severely immunocompromised.

As of Oct. 26, a vaccine mandate has been in place for all healthcare workers across B.C.

If someone chooses to get vaccinated after the deadline they must remain out of work without pay until seven days past the first dose and then take extra precautions and get the second dose.

As of Tuesday, Health Minister Adrian Dix says there are 2,626 health care workers are partially vaccinated and 4,090 are not vaccinated. In total 119,627 are vaccinated.

The highest unvaccinated rate is in the Interior Health Authority.

Across the province, 89.6 per cent of people over 12 years old have received their second dose and 84.4 per cent have their second.

How to book booster

There won’t be walk-ins available for the third dose. British Columbians need to be registered with the Get Vaccinated system.

When it’s your turn, the system will invite registered people to book online, when it’s their turn. If you can’t access the online booking system, they can call the provincial call centre at 1-833-838-2323.

Health authorities will still be providing shots at community-based immunization clinics along with “whole of community” programs.

“Many community partners [eg. YVR, Air Canada] participated with us to help deliver our immunization for our public and they were a terrific addition. Fortunately for them have gone back to work, their sectors have gone back to pretty much business as usual. And there are about four groups that can and will continue to work with us to help deliver the booster campaign,” Dr. Penny Ballem with Vancouver Coastal Health, said. .

Pharmacies will be part of the booster dose program but not in every B.C. community. Ballem says starting mid-January the province should see about 85 per cent of the pharmacies participating in this campaign.

Information on how to be invited to receive COVID-19 booster shots in B.C. (Courtesy B.C. Provincial Health)

Meanwhile, the First Nations Health Authority will provide boosters to rural and remote Indigenous communities.

“Non-remote Indigenous residents can be immunized, following receipt of invites, by booking online in health authority clinics, pharmacies, or in their local communities,” the province added.

Which vaccine booster?

B.C. will be offering Moderna and Pfizer as booster shots for all eligible vaccine recipients.

It says there is no need to align with the same vaccine you received for your first or second dose.

AstraZeneca recipients will be offered an mRNA vaccine for their booster.

Provincial health officials said they are confident in the vaccine supply, adding it should last through the rest of this calendar year and vaccine doses for boosters have been procured ahead of time.

Henry is urging people to continue taking precautions to midgate the spread of the virus.

Especially with influenza starting to appear, she says the booster will play an important role for those who are most at risk.

Henry warns people who have not yet received a jab that the majority of people who are dying, ending up with severe illness, who are hospitalized or in ICU are people who are not yet protected through vaccination.