Province Shifts Vaccine Strategy to Include High-Transmission Communities

April 19, 2021

Victoria — People born in 1981 or before (40+) living in the following 13 communities will be invited to book their vaccine appointments at additional community clinics starting this week (April 19-23), following a change in the use of AstraZeneca:

  • Dawson Creek
  • East and West Newton
  • Fleetwood
  • Kensington
  • North Delta
  • North Surrey
  • Panorama
  • Port Coquitlam
  • South Langley Township
  • Squamish
  • West Abbotsford
  • Whalley

The Province will be working with Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal Health and Northern Health authorities to increase appointments in these high-transmission neighbourhoods, primarily using AstraZeneca.

Anyone born in 1981 and earlier (40+) can access the AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccine at eligible pharmacies with vaccine supply throughout B.C. People can find an eligible pharmacy here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/pharmacy#find

People living in high-transmission communities must register for their vaccine appointments using the Province’s Get Vaccinated registration and booking tool and will be invited to book an appointment on the same day they register. The fastest way to register and book is online at gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated.

People will confirm whether they live in a high-transmission neighbourhood prioritized for immunization by entering their postal code here: gov.bc.ca/neighbourhoodplan

Additional clinics will be added to ensure people are able to access appointments quickly. Only those with eligible postal codes will be able to receive a vaccine through this program.

High-transmission communities have been prioritized based on COVID-19 cases, outbreaks and hospitalizations. Prioritizing high-transmission neighbourhoods will help protect more people against COVID-19, reduce transmission in places it is occurring and help B.C.’s hospitals continue to operate effectively through the third wave.

People will need to bring their Personal Health Number, located on a CareCard, driver’s license or BC Services Card. Eligibility is based on age and postal code.

Protecting people in higher-transmission neighbourhoods with vaccines will help reduce transmission and protect people and communities from COVID-19.

Learn More:

To learn more about B.C.’s high-transmission neighbourhood vaccine plan, see: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/neighbourhood

To learn more about the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine, please visit: www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine/monitoring-vaccine-uptake-safety-and-effectiveness/#55plus

To learn about B.C.’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/bcseniorsfirst

And: www.gov.bc.ca/covidvaccine

For technical immunization information, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control’s website: www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine

For more information on what to expect when you go to get vaccinated for COVID-19, visit: www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine/getting-a-vaccine