B.C Care Providers CEO Terry Lake (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

COVID-19 FOURTH DOSE

B.C. Care Providers thrilled with fourth dose announcement

Apr 5, 2022 | 4:25 PM

KAMLOOPS — Seniors and immunocompromised individuals could soon be rolling up their sleeves for a fourth time as Dr. Bonnie Henry has announced a second COVID-19 booster shot is coming, in line with a recommendation from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

“Today we are announcing that, looking at this data, we are going to be offering a spring booster for elders and seniors in BC, as people being most at risk,” said Henry.

The shot is being targeted for those over the age of 70.

While less than 60 per cent of British Columbians have taken a third shot, Henry believes a second booster is needed to protect the elderly population and those in care facilities.

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“We can see over time that it is our elders and seniors who are more likely to have severe illness and end up in hospital. And we see that continues with people over age 80 through this Omicron wave also more likely to have severe disease,” said Henry.

The CEO of the BC Care Providers Association agrees and hopes the rollout is swift.

“We’re really happy to see this second booster to come out for all our residents in care,” said Terry Lake. “We know that nursing homes were the absolute ground-zero for the COVID pandemic, the most deaths, the most illness. And the vaccine made such a huge difference, but it is coming up to six months since the first booster and this is really timely and we’re really happy they have made the announcement today.”

The vaccine mandate for health care professionals will remain in effect moving forward, and visitors to care facilities are still required to be fully vaccinated.

“I think we’ve gotten better with time but we can’t let our guard down. All visitors to long-term care will need to be vaccinated, will need to show proof of vaccination. People will need to keep that in mind as we continue to fight the COVID virus,” added Lake.

Fourth shots will also be made available for Indigenous individuals over the age of 55. The second booster will be administered six-months after booster one.

Dr. Henry also confirmed that the B.C. vaccine card will no longer be required for entry to restaurants and other events as of Friday, April 8, 2022 at 12:01 am.