BC to roll out updated COVID-19 vaccines this Thanksgiving

BC announced details of this fall’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign today and told residents of the province to expect an invitation for an updated booster sometime after Thanksgiving.

Health Canada approved a new formulation of the COVID-19 vaccine this month, targeted to the latest variants — in particular XBB.1.5.

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Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Thursday that BC will begin putting shots in arms as soon as it receives supply of Moderna’s updated shot (updated vaccines from other companies are still pending approval from Health Canada).

Residents in long-term care facilities will be the first to receive the vaccine, with vaccine clinics there expected to start next week.

Henry expects vaccines to become available for the general public in mid-October, around Thanksgiving weekend. Once again, doses will be rolled out to those most at risk first, with older individuals becoming eligible before younger people.

The following groups are considered priority populations:

• Seniors aged 65 and up
• Long-term care residents
• Indigenous people
• Pregnant people
• Health-care workers
• People with chronic health conditions (cancer, hepatitis C, diabetes, etc.)

BC re-introduces mask mandate in healthcare settings

Officials also announced that masks will once again be required in health-care settings including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Henry said all spaces operated by health authorities will be subject to the mask mandate, but it won’t apply for family physicians’ offices or dental offices in the community.

“Yes, it is a requirement. And yes, I do expect people to comply with that. Especially as we have more infections in the community,” Henry said.