B.C. launches spring COVID-19 booster program, targeting vulnerable and unvaccinated
British Columbia is rolling out another round of COVID-19 vaccination boosters, with invitations starting to go out Monday.
Ministry of Health says people who haven't received a booster against the XBB. 1.5 Omicron variant of COVID-19 will be among those offered the free shot.
Others who will be invited include adults aged 65 and older, Indigenous adults 55 and over, residents of long-term care homes and assisted-living facilities, and anyone older than six months who is “clinically extremely vulnerable.”
The ministry says in a statement that although the spring program is focused on those most at risk or those who haven't received an updated vaccine, anyone who wants a booster can book an appointment or walk into a pharmacy where the shots are available.
It says about 3.9 million people in B.C. have yet to receive the XBB. 1.5 vaccine.
The vaccines will be offered at pharmacies, regional health authority clinics, primary care offices and community health centres.
The statement says the peak of the respiratory illness season has passed, but COVID-19 continues to spread at lower levels in the community.
It says protection provided by COVID-19 vaccines decreases over time, particularly for older people, and a spring booster will ensure protection.
The ministry says the 2023-24 respiratory illness immunization campaign for the general population, launched on Oct. 10, saw almost 1.5 million shots of COVID-19 vaccine administered and 1.56 million doses of influenza vaccines.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April. 8, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Lyon-bound Air Canada Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from Montreal turns back midflight due to pressurization alert
Passengers heading from Montreal to Lyon, France on Friday were forced to return home and depart the next day after a pressurization indication was detected in flight.
Oilers dominate Canucks, win to force deciding Game 7
The Edmonton Oilers avoided elimination from the NHL playoffs Saturday night, beating the visiting Vancouver Canucks 5-1 in Game 6 of their second-round series.
The eight most expensive homes for sale in Ottawa this spring
Ottawa's ultra luxury housing market is blooming like the tulips this spring, with a significant increase in the number of homes sold worth more than $2 million.
B.C. pipeline company argues its 'haulers' are not trucks, for tax purposes
A contractor working on the Coastal GasLink pipeline has been denied more than $333,000 worth of tax rebates because pieces of machinery it purchased – and claimed were not trucks – were deemed sufficiently truck-like in B.C. Supreme Court.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Usyk beats Fury by split decision, becomes undisputed heavyweight champion
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 24 years.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.