BC outlines vaccination schedule for general population

British Columbians are a step closer to receiving their COVID-19 immunizations, with additional details and timelines released for the largest and most complex immunization plan to ever roll out in B.C.

Premier John Horgan; Adrian Dix, Minister of Health; Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer; and Dr. Penny Ballem, executive lead for B.C.’s immunization efforts; announced details of the next phases in B.C.’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan. The plan will see approximately 7.4 million doses of vaccine administered to every British Columbian who is eligible to receive it between April and the end of September.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us all in extremely difficult ways,” Premier Horgan said. “Together, we have faced this pandemic with strength, courage and compassion, and we are starting to feel optimistic that, one day, COVID-19 will be in our rear view. At every step, our plan puts the health and safety of our most vulnerable people at the centre, and when it’s your turn, I encourage everyone to get their COVID-19 vaccine and help us move forward, together, to a healthier province.”

B.C.’s four-phased COVID-19 Immunization Plan is based on scientific evidence, as well as expert advice and guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, B.C.’s Immunization Committee and B.C.’s public health leadership committee. The plan, which got underway in December 2020, starts by first immunizing those who are most vulnerable to severe illness and death, including long-term care residents and the health-care workers who care for them, remote and at-risk Indigenous communities, and seniors.

Phase 1 (current phase)
Timeline: December 2020 to February 2021

* Residents and staff in long-term care facilities

* Individuals assessed for and awaiting long-term care

* Residents and staff of assisted-living residences

* Essential visitors to long-term care facilities and assisted-living residences

* Health-care workers providing care for COVID-19 patients in settings like intensive care units, emergency departments, paramedics, medical units and surgical units

* Remote and isolated Indigenous communities

Phase 2
Timeline: February to March 2021

* Seniors aged 80+ who are not immunized in Phase 1

* Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) seniors age 65 and over, and Elders and additional Indigenous communities not immunized in Phase 1

* Hospital staff, community general practitioners and medical specialists not immunized in Phase 1

* Vulnerable populations living and working in select congregated settings

* Staff in community home support and nursing services for seniors

Phase 3 – General population immunization
Timeline: April to June 2021
*Timeline may change based on vaccine availability
People aged 79 to 60, in five-year increments (D1 = first dose/D2 = second dose)

* Aged 79-75; D1: April/D2: May

* Aged 74-70, D1: April/D2: May

* Aged 69-65; D1: May or June/D2: June or July

* Aged 64-60; D1: June/D2: July

* Aged 69-16 who are clinically extremely vulnerable; D1/D2 April – June

Phase 4
Timeline: July to September 2021
*Timeline may change based on vaccine availability
People aged 59 to 18, in five-year increments: (D1 = first dose/D2 = second dose)

* Aged 59 to 55; D1: July/D2: August

* Aged 54 to 50; D1: July/D2: August

* Aged 49 to 45; D1: July/D2: August

* Aged 44 to 40; D1: July/D2: August

* Aged 39 to 35; D1: July or August/D2: August or September

* Aged 34 to 30; D1: August/D2: September

* Aged 29 to 25; D1: August or September/D2: September

* Aged 24 to 18; D1/D2: September

 

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