COVID-19 Immunization Plan (March 1, 2021 Update)

  1 March 2021

B.C.’s COVID-19 immunization plan was released on March 1. It provides details on how the COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed to different populations throughout the province.

As we move into Phase 2 of the plan, the goal is to continue vaccinating vulnerable groups. Beginning this month that will include seniors aged 80+, residents of independent living and supportive housing (as well as staff), and Indigenous Peoples aged 65+.

Individuals living or working in independent living centres and seniors’ supportive housing will be contacted by their health authority to book immunization appointments.

COVID-19 Immunization Phase 2

Beginning on March 8, seniors aged 80+ and Indigenous Peoples aged 65+ who are not living in independent or supportive housing centres can book an appointment (in staggered groups) through their health authority.

Phase 2 also includes immunizing other priority groups, many of whom have already received their first dose. These groups include Indigenous communities, and vulnerable populations living and working in select congregate settings.

Phase 3 of the immunization plan is set to begin in mid-April. This includes individuals aged 79 to 60 years old, as well as people aged 16+ who are “extremely clinically vulnerable.”

CHF BC will continue to share relevant information as we receive it.

News Release and Backgrounder

Read the full news release and backgrounder here.

 

More Information

For the latest information, please visit the following Province of BC websites:

March 8 Update

The website links for vaccine clinic locations are now live:

March 15 Update

Seniors in the 80 to 84 age group are now eligible to book their COVID-19 vaccine appointment. This is a full week ahead of schedule.

There are an estimated 105,000 seniors in this age group who have not yet been vaccinated. Anticipating the enthusiasm of all those in this age group who want an appointment for their vaccine is important; the vaccine call centre is ready, but to manage the volume Immunize BC is asking seniors to space out their calls for appointments.

Starting at noon on Monday, March 15, seniors are invited to call in groups on the following days of the week:

  • Monday: age 84 and over
  • Tuesday: age 83 and over
  • Wednesday: age 82 and over
  • Thursday: age 81 and over
  • Friday: age 80 and over

This plan will assist in reducing wait times and allow the oldest seniors in this 80- to 84-year-old age group to go first. Family and friends of seniors in these age groups are asked to have only one designated family member or support person call to book appointments for people in this age group.

The call centres tend to be busiest in the mornings, so try calling in the late afternoon or evening.

There are thousands of vaccine appointments for British Columbians in this age group waiting to be booked. Everyone who wants to book an appointment will be able to do so.

Call centres for each Health Authority are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. PDT seven days a week. Phone numbers and booking details are available at www.gov.bc.ca/bcseniorsfirst

March 18 Update

More than 300,000 front-line workers, including first responders, grocery store employees, and teachers and child care workers, will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations over the coming weeks as the Province’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan moves forward ahead of schedule.

Beginning in April, people in priority groups identified by public health and the COVID-19 Workplace Task Group will start to receive their first dose of the AstraZeneca/SII COVISHIELD (AZ/SII) vaccine. These groups include:

  • first responders (police, firefighters, emergency transport);
  • K-12 educational staff;
  • child care staff;
  • grocery store workers;
  • postal workers;
  • bylaw and quarantine officers;
  • manufacturing workers;
  • wholesale/warehousing employees;
  • staff living in congregate housing at places such as ski hills;
  • correctional facilities staff; and
  • cross-border transport staff.

Priority groups are workers in places and sectors where:

  • the use of personal protective equipment and barriers can be challenging;
  • outbreaks and clusters have occurred or are ongoing;
  • workers must live or work in congregate settings; or
  • maintaining the workforce for a critical service is necessary.

Watch a recording of the press conference and learn more here.

(March 31, 2021) A partnership between Immunize BC and community pharmacists to make the COVID-19 AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine available to those aged 55 to 65 living on the Lower Mainland is ready to launch today. Read more here.