Vancouver Island health authority ramps up fall COVID-19 booster program
Island Health has launched a fall immunization campaign for the latest COVID-19 booster dose. People age 18 and over will get the bivalent or combination vaccine that targets two strains of the virus.
“We have vaccine that works and we’re trying to get ahead of this virus before it gets ahead of us again,” said public health nurse Monica Stevenson on Tuesday.
Stevenson and medical health officer Dr. Dee Hoyano met with reporters outside a mass immunization clinic in Victoria’s Quadra Village, where people were heading in for their latest dose of the vaccine.
“It’s all set up quite well,” said patient Margaret Crowley. “I think it’s really important that we get the most population that can be immunized.”
“It might save somebody’s life,” said Wayne Martin, who was also going for a booster.
The health authority is targeting people who may be at a higher risk for severe complications from COVID-19 infection.
“We’d like to really target people who are in those higher-risk groups because we know they’ll have the most benefit,” said Hoyano. “But it is open to anybody who would want to take that step to get their booster dose.”
People can book their appointment at one of Island Health’s immunization clinics or at a pharmacy once they get their text notification from the province. Similar to previous rounds for vaccine, the notice goes to people who are signed up through B.C.’s Get Vaccinated system online.
“The proof is in the numbers. If we look at our death rates and how our hospitalization numbers have decreased dramatically, vaccines work and they are working,” said Stevenson.
The nurse says children under the age of 18 who are not immunocompromised will not get the bivalent vaccine. They’ll get a different dose based on their previous doses and any underlying health conditions.
The health authority acknowledged vaccine apathy may be a challenge. So far it says appointments are filling up as they become available.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.