Kamloops residents urged to get the first shot they can as city vaccinations climb over 41,000

As of Tuesday (May 4), people who are pregnant are eligible to book vaccination appointments in B.C. With Health Canada approving the use of Pfizer in youth aged 12 and older, the hope is B.C will also approve that category.

“It means we can continue on with that through the age categories over the summer,” says Dr. Fenton. “Hopefully we will get that approval for the others as well or at least for Moderna so we can get school aged folks vaccinated before they go back in the fall.”

There’s been plenty of discussion around which type of vaccine might be better suited for someone, however many people say they don’t care what brand or type of shot they get — they just want it as soon as possible.

CFJC crews spoke with several people around Riverside Park this afternoon, and most were in favour of immunizations.

“I got my AstraZeneca and it’s going to be three weeks since I got it,” one man told CFJC, “Soon as I can get it, of course I’m going to get it, and the sooner I get the second one, the better.”

When asked if it mattered what kind of vaccine they were given, another resident said they weren’t concerned, “Not especially. I was just happy to have one as soon as I could.”

One couple said they’d signed up for the McArthur Island clinic, and were eager to get fully vaccinated.

“Doesn’t matter to me. A shot is a shot. Actually I’d probably prefer to do the one where you only have to do the single shot.”

As first dose recipients approach the 16-week mark, they’re asked to register online to be ready for a second appointment booking. This includes people who were given a shot before the online registration launched on April 6, or people who registered through the separate pharmacy booking system.

“At the provincial level they’re working on merging the records we have of who has already received a dose with those who registered so that they’ll be able to track who is scheduled for a second dose,” explains Dr. Fenton, “and then those people who are registered will receive their invitation to book their second dose.”

Residents can register on the BC Government’s Get Vaccinated website, by calling 1-833-838-2323, or in-person at a ServiceBC office. For more information or to determine if you need to register online, click here.

by Dylana Kneeshaw

Kamloops residents urged to get the first shot they can as city vaccinations climb over 41,000

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