Another 100,000 B.C. residents to get 3rd COVID-19 vaccine dose

The number of B.C. residents who will get a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine has jumped by 100,000 from the 15,000 announced last month.

People who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable will be contacted this week to schedule a third dose of vaccines, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced at a news briefing today, Oct. 5.

“There are a number of people who are in that group who were prioritized to receive the vaccine early and there are a number in that group whose immune systems do not respond as well to vaccines,” she said. “We now know that adding a third dose can actually stimulate a response for many people that gives them as much protection or, at least, some protection closer to what people with a strong immune response system have."

On Sept. 1, Dr. Henry announced that the 15,000 residents who are suffering from things like blood cancer, organ or stem cell transplants or who are on certain immune suppressant drugs would be offered booster shots and those people are just starting to get their vaccinations this week.

READ MORE: COVID-19 booster shots on the way for B.C. residents

The new group approved for a third jab contains people who are undergoing things like radiation therapy for cancer, have blood tumours, are taking certain immune suppressant medications or have a number of other ailments.

Dr. Henry is continuing to monitor the need for third doses in other populations, such as Indigenous communities, health-care workers who were vaccinated early and elders living in the community.

She suggested that third doses may be used if there are outbreaks in certain communities. She is also looking at whether everyone will need a third dose and will have more to say in the coming weeks.

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