Office of the Seniors Advocate : COVID-19 Booster Doses for Seniors
B.C. Seniors Advocate, Isobel Mackenzie, is reminding seniors aged 70 or older of the need for a booster, or third dose, of the COVID-19 vaccine. “The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all British Columbians, and our seniors and older adults are among the most vulnerable. The waning protection of the vaccine is based on...
COVID-19 vaccine available for kids aged 5 - 11
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following statement regarding Health Canada’s approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11: “British Columbia welcomes the news that Health Canada has approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 pediatric vaccine for...
BC records 1,438 new cases and 17 new deaths over weekend
As of Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, 90.3% (4,184,112) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 86.0% (3,986,497) have received their second dose. In addition, 90.7% (3,922,224) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 86.6% (3,744,474) have received their...
B.C. applies for decriminalization in next step to reduce toxic drug deaths
British Columbia has taken an important step forward to prevent drug poisoning deaths by applying to the federal government to remove criminal penalties for people who possess small amounts of illicit drugs for personal use. B.C. is the first province in Canada to seek an exemption from Health Canada under Section 56(1) of ...
Annual influenza vaccine campaign kicks off in Interior Health
Interior Health is calling on everyone to protect themselves and increase immunity in our community by getting their annual influenza (flu) vaccine. New this year, the influenza vaccine (flu shot) is available free of charge to everyone six months of age and older, at pharmacies and clinics throughout the region. “Everyone...
Kootenay Boundary COVID-19 vaccine clinics
Interior Health is hosting drop-in immunization clinics in the Kootenay-Boundary area for anyone who has not yet received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and anyone who received their first dose more than 28 days ago. People can walk-up, register and receive their first or second COVID-19 vaccine. Anyone born in ...
Friday COVID-19 update: Eleven new deaths, 714 new cases in the past 24 hours
As of Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, 88% (4,079,918) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 81.1% (3,761,048) have received their second dose. In addition, 88.5% (3,828,773) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 81.9% (3,543,318) have received their ...
IHA reports COVID-19 exposures in Trail, Slocan schools
Interior Health is reporting potential COVID exposure events in five local school - two in Slocan and three in Trail, according to the IHA website. "When a school staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19, public health will notify staff and students who need to take a specific action, such as self-monitoring or...
Expanded health, safety measures for K-12 students
Government is updating its K-12 education health and safety guidelines to require masks for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students. “In-person learning is crucial for the social and educational well-being of students. The health and safety guidelines in our schools were developed under the guidance and direction of the Public...
Toxic illicit drug supply claims lives of 184 British Columbians in July
More than 1,200 people have died as a result of toxic drugs in the first seven months of 2021, according to the latest preliminary reporting from the BC Coroners Service. “The deaths of another 184 of our community members in July is a stark reminder of the tragic and unrelenting trajectory of this public health emergency,”...
