B.C. is expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to those at high risk due to existing medical conditions.
People with conditions such as various forms of cancer, transplant recipients and severe respiratory conditions will be able to register for their vaccine starting Monday, March 29.
The province estimates there are about 200,000 people over the age of 16 who fit into the category, although some have already been immunized through the age-based system.
"B.C. has made tremendous progress on our age-based vaccine program," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. "Now, we are able to expand to those people who are at increased risk from COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions or various medical treatments. Clinical experts have now determined those who have a high risk of severe illness from the virus and now have the vaccine supply to protect these most vulnerable people."
Expert physicians and providers in cancer care, kidney diseases and other conditions causing compromised immunity worked with public health and international COVID-19 data to prioritize those most at risk. More info on who is eligible can be found here.
Those people identified as a candidate will receive a letter in the mail in the coming days with information on how to book an appointment. People who receive this invitation letter must bring it with them to their vaccination appointment.
If people who believe they are in the high-risk group have not received a letter by April 15, 2021, they can contact the provincial call centre or visit provincial online registration and booking system, which is scheduled to launch on April 6, to confirm if they are on the list. If they are not on the list, they can reach out to their physician or nurse practitioner about their eligibility.
The process will run parallel to the ongoing age-based booking schedule.
This schedule is being accelerated, starting with those born in 1945 able to book starting Wednesday, March 24. The revised health authority eligibility call-in schedule follows:
* age 76 (born in 1945) - Wednesday, March 24 at noon
* age 75 (born in 1946) - Thursday, March 25 at noon
* age 74 (born in 1947) - Friday, March 26 at noon
* age 74+, and high-risk population (must have invitation letter to book) - Monday, March 29 noon
