Only 369 COVID-19 vaccinations booked in Vancouver Coastal Health on Monday

Nearly 15,000 COVID-19 vaccination appointments were booked as of Monday evening. However, less than 2.5% of those were in Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH).

British Columbia’s Minister of Health Adrian Dix announced that as of Monday night, 14,949 vaccinations had been booked across the province.

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Only 369 of those appointments were in VCH. Fraser Health saw 8,722 vaccinations booked, Interior Health saw 2,456, Vancouver Island Health saw 2,395, and Nothern Health saw 1,007.

At the close of call centres today their were 14,949 #COVID19 vaccines booked.
VIHA – 2,395
FHA – 8,722
IHA – 2,456
VCHA – 369
NHA – 1,007

— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) March 9, 2021

Dix says that “significant progress” was made on bookings and adds that “VCH had some problems early in the day,” although it wasn’t specified what exactly caused the shortage in bookings.

He noted that health officials were working with the health authority and will continue to work to “get their bookings back on track.”

Across the province we made significant progress on bookings.
VCH had some problems early in the day and we have been working with them throughout the day and will continue tomorrow to get their bookings back on track.

— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) March 9, 2021

COVID-19 vaccination call centres were flooded on Monday. By 10 am, approximately 1.7 million calls had been received.

Appointments are only being given to seniors above the age of 90, or Indigenous peoples above the age of 65, creating massive wait times for those who are actually eligible.

“Obviously, we’re getting some calls beyond that group of people,” he said. “Obviously, some people are calling multiple times as well.”

Dix noted that in BC, there are about 47,000 British Columbians over the age of 90 and 35,000 Indigenous peoples above the age of 65.

“I very much appreciate the enthusiasm of everybody calling in, but I would ask that people allow those who are eligible this week to book appointments to have priority,” Dix stressed.

Daily Hive has reached out to Vancouver Coastal Health for further comment.