Friday July 29, 2022 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc. | Island Social Trends
Beginning August 2, 2022 all people over the age of six months in BC can receive protection against the COVID-19 virus.
This comes following Health Canada’s approval of the vaccine specifically formulated for children between the ages of 6 months and five years.
“Vaccination against COVID-19 remains the most effective way to reduce the risk of needing to be hospitalized due to COVID-19,” said Dr. Mike Benusic, medical health officer at Island Health, in a news release today.
“Children fortunately are at low risk of severe disease from COVID-19. Low risk, however, does not equal no risk. Vaccinations can help further reduce the risk of children getting really sick from COVID-19,” says Dr Benusic.
Registration for children:
Parents and caregivers must first register their children in the provincial system Getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca .
Once registration is complete, parents will be invited to book an appointment at their local community clinic when immunization starts in August.
Parents can register children younger than six months of age now. When the child turns 6 months, the parent will get an invitation to book an appointment.
Appointments are required:
Appointments are necessary for these vaccines and will be held in child-friendly local immunization clinics. Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines are not available in pharmacies.
Vaccination supports normal activity:
Vaccination helps children and families get back to many important activities that positively benefit children’s physical and mental health.
The vaccine also reduces the risk of transmission to children’s close contacts who may be at higher risk of severe illness, says Island Health.
