B.C. seniors over age 80 to get info next week on when they’ll get vaccinated

Feb 23, 2021 | 4:30 PM

VICTORIA — British Columbia is expected to start informing people over age 80 about their vaccinations for COVID-19 starting next week as the province prepares to open mass clinics while doing more in-depth testing for variants.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says B.C. is in a phase of “vaccine hope and pandemic reality” but an age-based immunization plan will remain in place despite some calls to prioritize essential workers.

Henry says the province is expanding its pool of immunizers to include dentists, midwives and paramedics before 172 sites open up to eventually offer a vaccine to everyone age 18 and up.

However, she says it’s concerning that cases of variants like the one first identified in the United Kingdom are increasing after an unknown number were recently identified at seven schools in the Fraser Health region.