Saturday June 19, 2021 | VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc., Editor | Island Social Trends
With vaccine supply increasing (as announced on June 17 by Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry), Island Health is able to provide a limited number of walk-in appointments each day at mass immunization clinics, and expand the number of appointments available for booking across Vancouver Island.
B.C.’s mass immunization clinics have been designed for operational capacity of approximately 450,000 doses per week. At present, the clinics are currently administering around 325,000 weekly, based on vaccine supply, says the BC Ministry of Health.
Changes in supply:
On Thursday Dr Henry outlined that in the first two weeks of July there will be more Moderna product coming into BC but less Pfizer-BioNTech product.
“Pfizer requires additional preparation time to inject the diluent in the vaccine vial, but this is minimal and does not slow down vaccine delivery,” the Ministry of Health told Island Social Trends yesterday, adding: “Vaccination sites are adequately staffed and are running efficiently.”
Vaccinations administered to date in Island Health (June 18, 2021):
So far in Island Health there have been 706,092 COVID-19 vaccinations administered, of which 121,355 (about 17%) have been second doses.
Most of the administered doses have been Pfizer (535,890 or 75.9%), with Moderna being the second-most administered (141,016 or 20%), and then AstraZeneca (29,186 or 4.1%). Here’s the detail, as of June 18:
- Pfizer – 1st dose 535,890 | 2nd dose 83,588
- Moderna – 1st dose 141,016 | 2nd dose 30,353
- AstraZeneca – 1st dose 29,186 | 2nd dose 7,414
As of yesterday, BC’s Premier has received two doses of AstraZeneca here on Vancouver Island, saying ‘the best vaccine shot is the one that is offered to you’.
COVID still spreading:
On Vancouver Island there are still 73 active cases of COVID-19, with three people in hospital. Though no news deaths on the island since May 31 (total 41 during the pandemic).
BC vaccination profile:
Across BC, 76.7% of adults (18+) have received their first dose, and 19% their second dose. Of all vaccine-eligible British Columbians (age 12+), 75.1% have received a first dose.
Vaccination is not complete until two doses are received. For people who are seriously immuno-compromised, even a third dose might be required, said Dr Henry this past week.
===== LINKS: (provided by Island Health)
- For more information about Island Health clinic locations and hours: www.IslandHealth.ca
- To register or book a vaccination appointment please go to www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca.
- For answers to common questions about the COVID-19 vaccines go to www.immunizebc.ca