BC seniors 80 and up can book COVID-19 vaccinations starting this week

Seniors in British Columbia who are over the age of 80 will be able to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments sooner than expected.

The province is expanding vaccine registration this week for anyone over the age of 80. A staggered approach is being used for registration, and anyone born in 1937 or earlier will be able to register on Monday, March 15 at 12 pm.

Health Minister Adrian Dix made the announcement on Wednesday, saying that “call centres are processing vaccination appointment bookings ahead of schedule.”

Call centres are processing vaccination appointment bookings ahead of schedule. This week:

• ​Mon, Mar 15: 84+ (1937)
•​ Tues, Mar 16: 83+ (1938)
•​ Wed, Mar 17: 82+ (1939)
•​ Thurs, Mar 18: 81+ (1940)
• ​Fri, Mar 19: 80+ (1941)https://t.co/RJigAL4Sx7 pic.twitter.com/OxpeuSKENC

— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) March 15, 2021

BC began its mass immunization strategy this month, allowing seniors 90 and older and Indigenous people 65 and older to book appointments starting March 8.

Residents who become eligible don’t lose eligibility, and seniors over 90 can book their immunization appointment anytime, Dix said.

• See also: 
  • Here’s what COVID-19 vaccine registration will look like in BC
  • BC could adopt similar policy for small vaccinated groups as in the US: Dr. Henry
  • Everything you need to know about Phase 2 of BC’s COVID-19 vaccinations

Last week, British Columbians saw challenges with vaccine rollout on Monday, particularly in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, where fewer vaccine appointments were booked compared to other health authorities.

But the situation quickly improved, with nearly 3,000 vaccination appointments booked in VCH on Wednesday.