B.C. reached a milestone March 1, having vaccinated more people from the coronavirus than total cases in the province since the outset of the pandemic.
As of March 1, 83,777 people – approximately 1.6 per cent of the province’s population – have been vaccinated from COVID-19, with a first and second dose. Comparatively, 80,672 people have tested positive for the respiratory illness.
The province has announced its plans to move into Phase 2 of its immunization rollout with more than 400,000 people eligible to receive a first dose of the vaccine come March and into early April.
Health Canada’s approval of the AstraZeneca vaccine last week is allowing B.C. to maximize its immunizations, said Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer.
“We have learned is that these vaccines work, they give a very high level of protection and that protection lasts for many months,” said Henry.
Health officials have said data shows a single Pfizer and Moderna vaccine dose provides at least 90 per cent protection against COVID-19.
“As a result, we are now extending the interval between our first dose and the second booster dose of the vaccines… to four months or 16 weeks,” she stated.
The report used the latest figures released by the provincial government, which put B.C.’s population at around 5.1-million (as of Oct. 1, 2020).
RELATED: Most B.C. adults could get their first COVID vaccine shot by July, says health officials
READ MORE: B.C. seniors aged 90+ can start to sign up for vaccination on March 8
@sarahgrowch
sarah.grochowski@bpdigital.caLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Want to support local journalism? Make a donation here.
