B.C. opens vaccine program to 12 to 17 year olds

British Columbia’s vaccination program is growing.

As of today, 12 to 17 years olds can now register and book a vaccine.

“That’s good news for families who will want to do this together as we increase our immunity in households and communities right across the province,” Premier John Horgan told a news conference Thursday.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, said 310,000 youth between those ages will be eligible to get a Pfizer shot, the only one licensed for use for those ages.

Henry said 2,687,360 doses of COVID vaccines have gone into arms in the province, which is about 58 per cent of adults 18 and over, while about 3 per cent, or 138,906, are second doses.

Henry said a review of B.C.’s vaccination program shows it’s highly effective.

“After three to four weeks of a single dose, a person’s risk of transmitting the SARS -Covid virus has been reduced by 70 percent,” Henry stated.

During the news conference, Horgan said that despite lowering case numbers, the public health orders that limit activities like travel and indoor restaurant dining, are in place until Monday, May 24 at midnight.

“Not to the beginning of the long weekend, but to the end of the long weekend,” Horgan stressed.

The premier said everyone is excited about a positive summer, but we have to get there first.

“I’m confident British Columbians can make this modest sacrifice for one more long weekend so we can protect our front-line workers who have been there for us for the past 15 months, and well before that,” Horgan remarked.

The B.C. government will announce details of the province’s s restart plan next Tuesday (May 25).

Economic recovery minister Ravi Kahlon confirmed that date during question period in the B.C. Legislature today, but provided no other details.

B.C. has been under restrictions for several weeks that have closed indoor dining and group fitness activities and limited travel.