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
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Services Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
Ontario Provincial Police say they have 'disrupted' an organized crime group that allegedly used an emergency grandparent scam to defraud seniors across Canada out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.