Interior capacity limits not expected to be lifted until COVID-19 activity calms, vaccination rates increase

KAMLOOPS — While about 90 per cent of eligible adults in B.C. have gotten a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, Interior Health’s vaccination rates are lower — at 85 per cent. And health officials say the amount of community transmission still occurring in the region is no coincidence.

Interior Health Medical Health Officer Dr. Carol Fenton says it’s all connected.

“We’re continuing to see COVID activity correlate quite directly, inversely to our vaccination rates.” Dr. Fenton explains, “So we have some areas that have great — high levels of vaccination, and other levels where we’ve got a ways to go.”

Other health regions in the province have been granted 100 per cent capacity for certain venues and events, but for now Dr. Fenton says the provincial health office has Interior Health holding on to 50 per cent capacity limits.

“We need to see lower levels of COVID activity across the region,” she explains. “Because remember that vaccine is not 100 per cent effective. And so even those who are vaccinated are more protected with the higher percentage of people across the population that have that on board.”

Immunization requirements for B.C. healthcare workers came into effect this week, as announced by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and B.C Health Minister Adrian Dix. The region with the highest number of unvaccinated healthcare workers? Interior Health.

“4,090 people across B.C, 1,369 people in Interior Health — which is more than in Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health combined,” noted Minister Dix at an Oct. 26 briefing. “That is something that we have to work on and address together.”

For those seeking a shot of AstraZeneca for a first or second dose, Dr. Fenton adds there’s ample supply at Manshadi Pharmacy in Kamloops that needs to be used.

“They’ve let us know that they have over 100 doses of AstraZeneca that are going to expire on October 31.”

Timelines for third doses and booster shots were also announced this week. IH says high risk populations are first in line, and general population groups are expected to be eligible by January.