Ministry of Health update
In yesterday’s joint statement on B.C.’s COVID-19 response, Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, reported 587 new cases. Of the new cases, 126 people were in the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region.

The total number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in B.C. now stands at 137,810 since the start of the pandemic. There are 5,691 active cases of COVID-19 across B.C. currently.

Across the province, there were five new COVID-19 related deaths, while 413 people are currently hospitalized, with 141 of these cases receiving treatment in ICU/critical care. The total number of individuals who have passed away due to COVID-19 is 1,632.

Dr. Henry said the province is working hard to ensure everyone has their first dose as quickly as possible, but there is still lots of virus circulating in our communities. So until we’re all protected and our community transmission slows, we need to continue with our COVID-19 safety basics. Let’s get registered, get vaccinated, wash our hands, wear our masks and stay small and local.

COVID-19 vaccine update
Since the start of immunizations, 2,335,513 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in B.C., 119,691 of which are second doses. This means more than 50 per cent of adults 18+ in BC have received their first dose.

Today at 7 p.m., booking invitations will begin for people who are registered and are born in 1996 or earlier (25 and up). On Saturday at 7 p.m., booking invitations will begin for people who are registered and are born in 2001 or earlier (20 and up) and on Sunday at 7 p.m., booking invitations will begin for people who are registered and are born in 2003 or earlier (18 and up).

While all of the vaccines are safe and effective, there have been a small number of rare but serious adverse events following immunization. There has been a second case of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia in B.C. following an AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination. The patient is a male in his 40s. He is in stable condition and receiving care and treatment in the Fraser Health region.

If you have had a vaccine – any vaccine – in the last four to 28 days and are feeling unwell, call 811 or contact your health-care provider so you can get assessed as quickly as possible.

Dr. Henry also spoke about the efficacy of the vaccine, saying after the first dose risk drops dramatically, but it is not zero. While there have been some “breakthrough” infections among vaccinated people, the numbers are low and the risk is much lower. Infections in vaccinated people are generally milder compared to unvaccinated people. She also pointed to populations that have been vaccinated, saying we can see a rapid and sustained drop-off of cases. More information can be found here.

The focus of the B.C. COVID-19 response is to get all eligible people in British Columbia vaccinated as soon as possible. To do this, we need everyone to get registered, whether you have received your first dose or not. This ensures your doses are reserved for you.

Updated information on who should get a COVID-19 vaccine can be found here and there is more information about vaccine aftercare here. More information and immunization data is available through this page: BCCDC.

VCH high-transmission neighbourhood residents 30 years and older eligible for vaccine
As part of the B.C. COVID-19 Immunization Plan for priority neighbourhoods, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) will offer targeted vaccinations to people who reside in the high-transmission neighbourhoods of Cedar Cottage, Grandview Woodland, Hastings Sunrise, Kensington, Killarney, Renfrew-Collingwood, Sunset and Victoria Fraserview. Residents of these neighbourhoods who are 18 years and older are encouraged to register to receive a link to book their vaccination appointment.
 
VCH has opened a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Killarney Community Centre (6260 Killarney Street). The clinic will open again May 17 to 21 and 25 to 28 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Vaccinations will be provided by appointment only.

All B.C. residents 18 years of age and older (born in 2003 or earlier) are encouraged to register now through the provincial Get Vaccinated website, call centre (1-833-838-2323) or in person at a Service B.C. office. Translation services are available through the call centre.

Following registration, residents will be notified by phone, email or text message as soon as they are eligible to book a vaccine appointment.

VCH encourages family, friends, neighbours and social services agencies to help get the word out to adults 18+ about registering to receive their COVID-19 vaccine.
 
Updates to VCH’s implementation of B.C.’s immunization plan
Provincial registration for a COVID-19 vaccine continues for those born in 2003 or earlier (age 18 years of age and older). All British Columbians are encouraged to register once, even if you have received your first dose but have not yet registered. Registering means you will be sent a booking link for your second dose when it’s time. To register, please visit the get vaccinated website or call 1-833-838-2323.

Given the limited availability of the AstraZeneca vaccine supply, we are holding all remaining AstraZeneca vaccine for dose-two booster immunizations. Existing pharmacy bookings will proceed, but no additional appointments will be accepted at this time.

The Province is also awaiting the findings of studies currently underway on interchangeability of COVID-19 vaccines, as well as guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization. This will help determine the approach and options for second doses.

No matter what your vaccine or when you may receive it, everyone will receive their second dose within 16 weeks of their first vaccine to maximize the protection for ourselves and those around us.

Please check your scheduled appointment date, time and location; arrive on time for your appointment and avoid arriving early. Wear a short-sleeve shirt as the vaccine will be delivered to your upper arm. You will be monitored after receiving your vaccine for 15 minutes.

VCH Open Board Meeting – Save the date
Vancouver Coastal Health’s Board of Directors and senior leadership team invite you to our virtual Open Board Forum. This meeting is dedicated to the residents of the Killarney neighbourhood.
 
Open to the public, our virtual Open Board Forum is an opportunity to join a conversation with our board. The board chair and senior leaders will provide updates on COVID-19, the vaccine roll-out and available health services.
 
The meeting will stream online and we invite you to register and send questions in advance at vch.ca/boardforum. We will send you a link to the Open Board Forum video stream before the meeting.

Resource toolkit:

Posters about COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Killarney Community Centre:
[English + other languages]
 
Vaccine safety information:
[English] | [简体中文 Chinese Simplified] | [繁體中文 Chinese Traditional] | [한국어 Korean] | [ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Punjabi‎] | [Tagalog]
 
Aftercare information:
[English] | [ العربية  Arabic] | [American Sign Language - ASL] | [简体中文 Chinese Simplified] | [繁體中文 Chinese Traditional]| [ فارسی Farsi] | [Français French] | [한국어 Korean] | [ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Punjabi] | [Español Spanish] | [Tigrinya] | [Tiếng Việt Vietnamese]
 
VCH website information and Questions & Answers:
[English] | [العربية  Arabic] | [简体中文 Chinese Simplified] | [繁體中文 Chinese Traditional] | [ فارسی Farsi‎] | [Français French] | [한국어 Korean] | [ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Punjabi] | [Español Spanish] | [Tagalog] | [Tiếng Việt Vietnamese]
 
COVID-19 vaccine information sessions hosted by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and VCH (Cantonese and Mandarin)
[Cantonese] | [Mandarin]
 
COVID-19 vaccine Q&A with Dr. Ray Chaboyer
[English]
 
COVID-19 vaccine info session by VCH Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Patricia Daly
[English]