Island Health says it will close some mass-immunization clinics, including those at University Heights Shopping Centre and Archie Browning Sports Centre, while operating hours of others will be reduced and the focus will shift to vaccinating children.
The move comes as more people are vaccinated and demand is ramping down, the health authority said Monday.
COVID-19 vaccination will continue through remaining Island Health clinics and more than 170 community pharmacies registered to administer the shots to those age 12 and over, it said.
Clinics will focus on vaccinating children age five to 11 because the pediatric vaccine is not available in pharmacies.
Island Health clinics will also provide appointments for adults seeking non-mRNA vaccines, such as the newly approved Novavax or Medicago, when they become available in B.C.
Days and hours of operation will be adjusted as needed, said Island Health.
Since December 2020, Island Health has administered more than 1.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine. To date, 88.7% of people over the age of five have received two doses of the vaccine and 56.7% of people age 12 and over have also had a booster dose.
Anyone 12 or older who received a second dose of the vaccine at least six months ago is eligible for the booster.
Book appointments with participating pharmacies registered with the GetVaccinated system on the provincial online portal or by calling the provincial call centre at 1-833-838-2323 when it’s time for a booster dose. Those wishing to make an appointment for Novavax or Medicago vaccines should also call the provincial call centre to be added to the waitlist.
Pharmacies will provide either Moderna or Pfizer vaccines for boosters.
Appointments are still required for COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages five to 11 at Island Health clinics.
While children are at lower risk of severe disease from COVID-19, it can still result in hospitalization or have long-term effects, said Island Health. The vaccine also reduces the risk of transmission to children’s close contacts who may be at higher risk of severe illness.
For full clinic schedule details, go to Island Health's COVID vaccine web page.
The province reported 974 new cases of COVID-19 over the period from Friday to Sunday, including 215 in the Island Health region. A total of 549 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 in B.C., with 85 in intensive care. That’s down from a week ago, when 688 individuals were in hospital with COVID-19, including 108 in intensive care
Twenty-two new deaths were recorded over the weekend, five of which were in the Island Health region.
