COVID-19 update

BC shortens intervals for COVID-19 doses

May 27, 2021 | 2:39 PM

VICTORIA — British Columbia has reached a milestone when it comes to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says over three million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have now been administered in B.C.

She says 3,032,811 doses have been administered, 156,730 of those are second doses.

It means 65.8 per cent of adults 18 and older have now received their first dose and 62 per cent of those 12 and older.

Henry adds that the intervals between COVID-19 shots has been moved up from 13 weeks to eight weeks when it comes to those who have received the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. It means that 400,000 British Columbians will receive invites to book their second appointments starting today.

She says the invites will be sent sent to those in long-term care and assisted living first. A decision on shortening the gap for those who have received the AstraZeneca vaccine has not been made.

Provided we continue to receive a steady supply of vaccines, Henry says that everyone in B.C. will have a second COVID-19 vaccine dose offered to them before the end of August.

Today Henry announced 378 new cases of COVID-19 in B.C., including 14 in the Northern Health region.