by: glenda luymes
age will likely determine when b.c. kids can be vaccinated, with teens at the front of the line after covid-19 vaccines are approved for use in younger people, health experts say.
on thursday, dr. bonnie henry addressed questions about the province’s plans to vaccinate children, saying “immunization of children is absolutely important.”
“by next fall we are likely to have a vaccine available for children, particularly for teenagers who are most at risk,” said the b.c. provincial health officer.
but henry emphasized the province should be able to manage the third wave of the virus — reducing both transmission and pressure on hospitals — if we “keep going with what we’re doing.” the province’s current vaccination plan, which aims to provide every eligible adult with their first dose of vaccine by july 1, also provides a path to relaxing some restrictions by the summer.
henry pointed to communities, such as prince rupert, where the vaccination of a large number of adults has led to a dramatic decrease in transmission.
“when a vaccine is available to you, take it, whichever vaccine it is,” she urged.
the focus on children came after
released by two professors at simon fraser university showed that not enough people will obtain immunity under b.c.’s current vaccination program to allow life to return to normal by the fall.