B.C. correctional facilities to receive COVID-19 vaccine in February, March

British Columbia’s vaccination strategy will see staff and inmates at Okanagan Correctional Centre, Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre and other correctional facilities in the province among the initial groups vaccinated.

The province’s vaccination strategy was developed after receiving recommendations from a number of national and provincial groups, including the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, the National Special Advisory Committee on COVID-19 and the Canadian Immunization Committee, Ministry of Health COVID-19 communications senior public affairs officer Krystal Northey said in an email Thursday, Jan. 15.

Northey said the strategy is focused on protecting those most vulnerable to severe illness and death, reducing the likelihood of transmission in high-risk settings and ensuring the health system is protected and operating effectively.

People living in high-risk settings including shelters, group homes and correctional facilities are part of the second set of priority groups to receive the vaccine.

While vaccinations are dependent on vaccine supply, Northey said correctional centres are scheduled to begin immunizations in February or March.

According to the province, other high-risk groups that are expected to begin receiving vaccinations around the same time are:

• Community-based seniors aged 80 and above
• Indigenous seniors aged 65 and above
• Indigenous elders
• People experiencing homelessness
• Adults in group homes or mental health residential care
• Long term home support and home care recipients and staff
• Hospital staff, community general practitioners and medical specialists
• Other indigenous communities

Those who don’t get vaccinated when their respective group is eligible will still have access to the vaccination as other groups are added to the list, Northey says.

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