'It makes sense': Immunologist wants B.C. to follow Quebec on vaccine passports
Quebec has become the first province to announce residents will soon need to show proof of vaccination to gain access to some non-essential services like restaurants and gyms.
When asked if B.C. will follow suit, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry didn’t rule it out, saying Thursday that officials are "looking at all options and continue to look at all options.”
Health Minister Adrian Dix had similar comments on vaccine passports.
“We are working on it and looking at all these issues,” said Dix. “Quebec made an announcement today, something they have been working on for some time and I believe that they talked about before. And we are working on all those issues as well.”
UBC immunologist Dr. Kelly McNagny says Quebec is making the right call.
“My opinion is that B.C. should follow suit. I think it makes sense scientifically, it makes senses epidemiologically,” said McNagny.
A new Nanos Research poll found vaccine passports would be very popular with the Canadian public. Fifty-nine per cent of people polled said they support the idea, and 19 per cent somewhat support it. Fifteen per cent oppose and five per cent somewhat oppose.
With support like that, McNagny says the province shouldn’t shy away from requiring proof of vaccination in busy public indoor spaces.
“I think whatever we can do to prevent people from bringing virus into those situations is a good thing, and people who choose not to get vaccinated should not be in those situations,” he said.
While Quebec has been working on a vaccine passport QR code for months now, British Columbians only have the small, hand-written business card they’re given when they get their shots, and access to a PDF of their vaccination record on the Health Gateway app. The health minister says that will change.
“We are doing the work now for make it easier for everyone to have access to their vaccine record,” said Dix.
While the province won’t commit to following Quebec’s lead on a domestic vaccine passport, Dix did offer some insight on the government’s thinking.
“I would say to everyone that no, you are not obliged to get vaccinated in B.C. or anywhere else in Canada. But there are consequences if you don’t,” said Dix. “I think everyone will have to understand that.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.