COVID-19 vaccinations are now available for eligible individuals through new clinics in Nanaimo and Campbell River. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

COVID-19 VACCINATION

Island Health begins vaccination program in Nanaimo & north Island

Jan 7, 2021 | 1:09 PM

NANAIMO — Island Health is expanding vaccination efforts against COVID-19 with new clinics now open on Vancouver Island.

Doses of the Pfizer vaccine became available via clinics in Nanaimo and Campbell River beginning Thursday, Jan. 7. A total of 3,900 doses arrived in the health authority this week with approximately 1,900 earmarked for Nanaimo.

Medical staff, support staff and volunteers in long term care homes are the only people currently eligible to receive a vaccine through Island Health.

“We prioritized the long-term care facilities that were the oldest and had the greatest number of four bed units and basically were the ones who may have experienced problems in the vast and had a greater likelihood of outbreaks,” Dr. Richard Stanwick, Island Health chief medical health officer, said.

Vaccinations are only available via appointment, with those eligible either already notified or due to be notified in the coming days.

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Nanaimo and Campbell River were selected as additional sites on Vancouver Island due to the number of long-term care facilities in the community.

Facilities to store the Pfizer vaccine at the required low temperature were also a factor.

Dr. Stanwick said Island Health’s plan remains flexible enough to respond to clusters and outbreaks in facilities.

He cited the evolving situation at Chartwell Malaspina in Nanaimo, where seven residents and one staff member have tested positive, as a site where flexibility is needed.

“Should that change we could… move vaccine from what we’ve identified as a higher risk facility because of its age and number of beds and do that entire facility first.”

On Wednesday, 470 doses of the Moderna vaccine were diverted to Snuneymuxw First Nation to combat a growing cluster of cases. Twenty one cases in member residents were reported as of Jan. 6.

Neither the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, currently the only ones approved in Canada, are available for the bulk population.

Ongoing research is being conducted to determine whether the two vaccines can be used interchangeably, something Stanwick said would “make our lives so much simpler”.

B.C.’s vaccination rollout plan dictates first round of immunizations will go to front line healthcare system workers and residents in long term care.

Follow-up clinics will cater to other at risk populations including seniors, the homeless and those in correctional facilities.

As at-risk populations become immunized and more vaccine candidates are approved, public health will open clinics to the general population in descending five year age groups.

The first shipment of the Pfizer vaccine began being administered on Vancouver Island in Victoria on Dec. 22.

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