Dr. Bonnie Henry says starting Monday people who received the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine can receive their second dose. (flickr/Gov't of B.C.)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

covid-19 update

Second dose of Astrazeneca vaccine begins Monday, new cases remain low in Island Health

Jun 3, 2021 | 2:48 PM

NANAIMO — The nearly 300,000 British Columbians who received the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine can soon receive their second dose.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on Thursday, June 3 announced the process of receiving a second dose of the vaccine begins the following Monday. The pharmacy where people received their first shot will reach out to schedule an appointment for the second dose eight weeks later.

“We will have enough vaccine for everyone to receive their first and second dose by the end of summer and very likely much before that,” Dr. Henry said.

“We all need to be patient. We know how exciting it is to get protected through vaccination. There is enough supply for everyone.”

Dr. Henry said those who wish to receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine as a second dose despite having the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine first, will be able to.

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Vaccine mixing and matching is also allowed for those who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine the first time.

“This will mostly affect people who had Moderna as their first dose because we have had spotty issues with supply of Moderna. We have more Moderna coming, we’ve been guaranteed by the end of the month.”

For the third day in a row, less than 200 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed for B.C.

Dr. Henry announced 199 new cases, the highest all week.

Two new cases were announced for Island Health as active cases fell sharply from 52 to 37.

The central Island area dropped from 21 to 15 active cases.

The number of active cases across B.C. fell to 2,563 with 224 people in hospital and 62 of those in critical care.

There were sadly two new COVID related fatalities.

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