Pregnant people now eligible for virus vaccination

The provincial government is adding pregnant women 16 plus, as a priority population to get their COVID-19 vaccination.

“All Health Canada-approved vaccines are safe and effective, and I encourage everyone to register and receive their vaccine as soon as they are eligible. Today, this includes people who are pregnant,” Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, said. “We have reviewed the data here in B.C. and this shows pregnant people experience severe illness from COVID-19 at a rate that is similar to people who are in their 50s. By prioritizing pregnant people today, we add another layer of protection for them, their babies and their communities.”

To book a vaccine, people who are pregnant can:

* register at gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated if they have not done so already,

* phone 1 833-838-2323 and identify as being pregnant.

“We are fortunate to have had the ability to track data across Canada to better understand the real impact of COVID-19 in pregnancy,” Dr. Deborah Money, BC Women’s Hospital, Provincial Health Services Authority, stated. “My hope is that knowing vaccines are safe and effective at any point in pregnancy will encourage those who are currently pregnant to take the opportunity to get vaccinated.”

Registration is now open for all persons aged 18 plus in British Columbia.

People 50 people who have registered can expect to start receiving email and text notifications to book vaccine appointments beginning on the following days:

* Tuesday, May 4: 52 plus (1969 or earlier)

* Thursday, May 6: 50 plus (1971 or earlier)

More than 1.9 million people in B.C. have received their first vaccine dose, with 92,244 of those being second shots.