An entrance into Snuneymuxw First Nation screens people coming and going as the First Nation begins a vaccine roll out program in response to a growing cluster. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

FIRST SHOTS

Growing COVID-19 cluster jumps Snuneymuxw First Nation up vaccine roll out priority list

Jan 6, 2021 | 2:17 PM

NANAIMO — A growing cluster of cases in Snuneymuxw First Nation changed the planned distribution of COVID-19 vaccine to Island First Nations.

Two additional cases were confirmed Wednesday, Jan. 6 taking the total number of active cases to 21.

In response, the province and First Nations Health Authority fast-tracked Snuneymuxw to the front of the queue for the Moderna vaccine.

“In discussions with the health authority and others we said ‘We definitely need that vaccine down here to help our community get past this,'” Chief Mike Wyse, Snuneymuxw First Nation told NanaimoNewsNOW.

A total of 470 doses were allotted to SFN with priority given to on-reserve Elders and those with underlying health conditions. Approximately 600 SFN members live on-reserve.

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In the first four hours of Wednesday’s invite-only clinic, 175 people received their first of two doses. The clinic will continue Thursday, Jan. 7 and open up to all SFN members over the age of 18.

Another clinic to administer the second dose of the vaccine is planned for early February.

Wyse added the virus spread rapidly in the community, going from no active cases to 21 in just seven days.

“”The ones that never go out, they’re doing the bare essentials and they’re getting infected,” Wyse said. “It touches everybody, nobody is immune to this virus, we’ve learned that very quickly.”

Dr. Shannon McDonald, acting chief medical officer with First Nations Health Authority, said geography was only one factor considered when deciding how and where to roll out the first available doses.

“This is the first time we have gone away from our original plan and list of prioritized communities to put forth vaccine for a community experience one of those clusters.”

She added health officials may not always have the opportunity to divert doses of the vaccine to respond to a growing cluster and FNHA will watch closely to see what affects the adjustment to their plan will have.

“We’re going to be interested to see how providing vaccine in the face of a cluster impacts the transmission in the community and ultimately the outcomes.”

Snuneymuxw First Nation is one of nine Island First Nations currently administering COVID-19 vaccinations.

Originally, 18 rural and isolated First Nations on Vancouver Island were identified as first round candidates for the Moderna vaccine, which requires less specialized equipment to transport and store.

As of Jan. 5, 191 COVID cases in First Nations people were confirmed on Vancouver Island with around 65 per cent being people living off reserve.

— with files from Ian Holmes

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley