COVID 19 Update March 15, 2022

Approximately 1 million people in B.C. have been invited for a COVID-19 booster, but have not yet booked. This includes some 50,000 people over the age of 70 who have been invited to book a booster but have not yet booked.

• For those that still remain unvaccinated for various reasons, including possible reactions, hesitancy, etc., B.C. has a number of vaccination options available.
• We strongly recommend getting vaccinated, as it will significantly lower your risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.
• For those who wish to receive an alternative to mRNA, Novavax and Medicago have recently been approved by Health Canada. These vaccines are not yet available in B.C. however are due to arrive in the coming weeks (Novavax) or months (Medicago).
• In the meantime, for those who are unvaccinated and wish to receive a non-mRNA vaccine, both AstraZeneca and Janssen are currently available.
  • To access AstraZeneca and Janssen please call the provincial call centre at 1.833.838.2323 and your name will be added to a list and your Health Authority will contact you.
  • Note: AstraZeneca will only be available until March 31, 2022 and no further supply will be coming into the province.
• For Novavax: supplies are coming in the next few weeks.
  • To access Novavax please call the provincial call centre at 1.833.838.2323 and your name will be added to a list and you will be contacted by your Health Authority when supplies arrive.
• For Medicago: The PHO will announce when the vaccine will be available in B.C. and then it will be the same process as outlined for Novavax.

The COVID-19 vaccination program is available in approximately 600 participating community pharmacies across the province. Pharmacies will sustain the vaccination program over the long term in B.C. It is easy and convenient to get your booster in a participating pharmacy in your community.

Health Authority clinics continue to concentrate on the vaccine program for children aged five to 11 as they wind down their larger vaccine clinics for adults. However, in parts of the province where community pharmacies aren’t available for boosters, the Health Authorities will continue to offer COVID-19 vaccines to the general population.

For seniors and the clinically extremely vulnerable, getting vaccinated, including the booster, makes a big difference in reducing your chances of contracting severe illness. As restrictions ease and the Omicron wave subsides, people may not feel the urgency to get a booster vaccine. But we know getting the booster provides you with more protection against severe illness over the long term.

We urge you to book the booster and make getting the vaccine part of your plans for March. Don’t ignore the invitation to book.

We know that some people who have had COVID-19, are waiting three months to book their booster as this is the provincial health guidance. The Get Vaccinated system will send you a reminder about your eligibility for a booster, so please book as soon as you’ve cleared your three months after infection.

Immunize BC Project
Stay Informed: https://gov.bc.ca/COVID | 1.88.COVID19