The province confirmed an acceleration of their vaccination program, with the wait between a first and second dose of vaccine down to four weeks, from seven. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

RAPID VAX

Island Health confirms 52 new cases as wait between vaccine doses drops

Aug 9, 2021 | 4:16 PM

NANAIMO — Those still waiting for a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine will now get their shot sooner.

The province confirmed an acceleration of its immunization timeline, with second doses now due 28 days after the first instead of the 49 days previously required.

Invitations to book a second dose for the approximately 170,000 people who are waiting will begin going out during the evening of Monday, Aug. 9.

“We know there’s a balancing between the virus transmission rates and waiting to get a second dose,” provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said. “We know [four weeks] is the minimum that we can get people with a higher protection [rate] sooner.”

Henry added the optimal time between doses is around six to 10 weeks, however the province elected to increase their vaccination program in a bid to curb rising case counts among those who are either not completely immunized, or haven’t received any vaccine.

no snow

Chances of a white Christmas for Nanaimo 'quite remote'

1h ago

vehicle damage

Over 40 vehicles damaged during late-night Nanaimo vandalism spree

7h ago

rising costs

RDN taxpayers want relief as board grapples with budget

12h ago

Just over 70 per cent of people aged 12 and up across B.C. have received two doses of an approved shot and are considered fully vaccinated. 82 per cent of people have received one dose.

“We are experiencing some community outbreaks, particularly in the central Okanagan and increasing cases of the virus particularly in pockets where we have unvaccinated people, or where we’re seeing people with only one dose of vaccine.

The province confirmed another 1,079 new cases from the weekend, covering three reporting periods. The numbers continue to hit new highs not seen since the end of the third wave in May.

Active cases jumped around 600 to 3,036 over the same period with 68 people in hospital, including 20 in intensive care.

Island Health confirmed 52 cases over the same three days with 21 coming from the central Island region. Southern Vancouver Island accounted for 24, while the remaining seven were in the north.

The number of active cases in the health authority also grew to 173, an increase of 34.

The central Island now has 73 active cases, with 88 in the south and 12 in the north.

— with files from Aaron Schulze, CFJC Today

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW