B.C.'s vaccine passport requirement updated so 12-year-olds only need one dose
The government has promised to address an oversight in the B.C. Vaccine Card program that left some children excluded from movie theatres and restaurants after turning 12.
Currently, everyone 12 and older must be fully vaccinated to enter any settings that require proof of vaccination, including stadiums, gyms and skating rinks.
That's created problems for children who received their first dose of pediatric vaccine at age 11 – when they were exempt from the B.C. Vaccine Card system – and celebrated their 12th birthday before they became eligible for another shot.
On Friday, the Ministry of Health acknowledged receiving reports of those kids suddenly being "blocked from entry" at various venues and businesses, and said the issue will be resolved through updated provincial health orders decreasing the requirement to a single dose for 12-year-olds.
"This change is aimed at fairness for this age group, while they are waiting for the recommended time to receive their second dose," the ministry said in a statement.
The province only began vaccinating children between the ages of five and 11 on Nov. 29, and the recommended interval between shots is eight weeks. That means only children who received their first dose within the first few days of eligibility would be up for their second shot by now.
So far, 51 per cent of children under age 12 have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Last week, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry also announced the B.C. Vaccine Card program, which was originally scheduled to last until the end of January, was being extended for another five months, citing the ongoing risks posed by COVID-19.
"Even now with Omicron, some people are at much greater risk of hospitalizations and severe illness, and we need to bear that in mind," Henry said at the time.
"The B.C. Vaccine Card program is specifically designed to address and mitigate those risks (and) allow us to keep certain businesses and activities open."
The system is now scheduled to remain in place until June 30, unless the situation improves before then.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to squash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
A subset of Alzheimer's cases may be caused by two copies of a single gene, new research shows
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.