Status update of potential 4th COVID-19 dose in B.C. due at briefing

VICTORIA – The likelihood of British Columbia introducing a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose will be part of the government's first Health Ministry briefing since early last month.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says the possibility of a second booster dose is on the agenda for today's COVID-19 briefing with provincial health officer Dr. Bonne Henry.

Last week, Dix said the ministry was thinking about providing a fourth dose to people who are clinically vulnerable, such as those in long-term care.

On Monday, Dix said the government would like more people to get their third COVID-19 shot as the current numbers show almost 58 per cent of eligible people 12 and older have received their booster.

Henry announced last month that as of April 8, B.C.'s vaccine card will no longer be needed to access restaurants and other venues, while businesses can shift away from their COVID-19 safety plans.

The Health Ministry said there are 321 people in hospital with COVID-19 and 36 of those are in intensive care, which is up from Friday when there were 274 people in hospital.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 5, 2022.