Province lauding high vaccine effectiveness ahead of Phase Two immunizations

KAMLOOPS — Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says there is an encouraging enthusiasm around the COVID-19 vaccine.

To date, nearly 240,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered in B.C. Many of these vaccinations have been happening in long term care.

COVID-19 has been most dangerous when it gets into long term care and assisted living facilities, resulting in high transmission and mortality rates. But with Phase One of B.C.’s vaccination roll-out nearing completion, these outbreaks are on the decline.

“Our outbreaks are down by 77 per cent over what they were at the peak and that is due in very large part to the effectiveness of the vaccine,” said BC Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie.

Mackenzie says this is an encouraging sign as the province prepares to vaccinate people over the age of 80 in Phase Two.

“I think we will actually see a high degree of uptake on the vaccine,” she said. “We see that when we look at influenza vaccine, we see that when we offered the vaccine in long term care was well over 90 per cent of residents. I don’t think we’re going to see a great amount of vaccine hesitancy amongst the older population.”

Mackenzie hopes family members will help people make it to their appointments, but says there are plans in the works to bring the vaccine to individuals with mobility issues.

Interior Health is remaining tight-lipped on the logistics of Phase Two vaccinations, saying more information is coming from the province on Monday (Mar. 1).

“We’ll amplify whatever the province puts out on our website as well,” Dr. de Villiers said. “…We’re looking at some of the options are a number that people can call where they can get more information, because we do understand as well, especially with seniors, they don’t all necessarily have access to the internet or don’t know how to use it.”

While Phase Two has not officially rolled out, Interior Health made the decision to expedite the vaccination of homeless populations in Kamloops. This is due to an increase in COVID-19 cases.

“We’ve always had the opportunity within Interior Health if there were any specific clusters or outbreaks or increase in any specific community to move our vaccine around,” de Villiers said.

Vaccinations have been offered to individuals utilizing services provided by the Mustard Seed Kamloops.

“They’re at risk more than most people are,” said Managing Director Kelly Thomson. “So, what Interior Health has done is they’ve actually come into our buildings more often, they’ve done a lot of testing in the last while and they’ve actually made the vaccines available to the street people as well. Those that work directly with them in the shelters are also available if they choose to get them also.”

While B.C.’s vaccination roll-out has been slowed by limited supply, Dr. Henry says the province is administering doses as quickly as possible.

“I am encouraged immensely by the enthusiasm,” she said, “but I also ask give us the time to make sure we’re getting it right.”