“I’m keen to get that vaccine.” That’s Sulyn Cedar’s new mantra.
The Quadra Island senior was happy to hear Quadra and neighbouring Cortes Island are among the 30 smaller, remote communities included in Island Health’s whole-community approach to COVID-19 vaccinations, which are now underway.
“I was absolutely thrilled when I heard,” she said. “I got goosebumps.”
The community approach means Island Health teams will visit and vaccinate all eligible residents in communities with fewer than 4,000 residents that are accessible only by air or ferry, or are more than a three-hour drive from a hospital.
Some areas, such as Quadra Island, will have two clinics — one for seniors 80 and older and Indigenous elders 65 and older, and another for all other eligible adults. Other communities, like Cortes Island, will have a single clinic for everyone 18 and older.
Cedar, 67, said she is eager to get her shots. As a caretaker for three school-aged grandsons, she is happy to reduce her risk of catching COVID-19.
“I’d like to keep being a grandmother,” Cedar said. “Plus, I want to protect my community. I’m a team player, you know.”
Dr. Steve Hughes with the Quadra Island Medical Clinic thinks it’s great news.
“We’re all in favour of it, and I think all the medical clinics here are very happy to help support it,” said Hughes.
Seniors are a sizable demographic on the islands, Hughes said, noting older people are at greater risk from the virus and can find travelling off island a challenge.
Almost 30 per cent of residents on Quadra and Cortes are 65 and older — well above the provincial rate of 18 per cent, and 17 per cent across Canada.
“We’d also rather [Island Health] bring the vaccines here rather than have people struggling with ferries and … going back and forth and bringing the virus here,” Hughes said.
Island Health advised the clinic Friday that there are positive cases of COVID-19 on Quadra, he said. The news demonstrates that people still need to follow protocols such as wearing masks and physical distancing despite the advance in vaccinations, Hughes said.
“It’s just a reminder to everyone to still pay attention to basic COVID-19 hygiene measures,” he said. “Even with the vaccines, the virus can still flare up and spread.”
Cortes Island regional director Noba Anderson said the community-wide approach will mean residents won’t have to take a two-ferry journey to Campbell River just to get immunized.
“To provide vaccination to small communities that have less medical services, it’s a fantastic approach,” Anderson said.
— With a file from the Times Colonist
