The first COVID vaccine dose in Kamloops was given to Kelsey Medhurst, a long term care worker, this afternoon.
“In Kamloops we have worked so hard, especially in long-term care, to stop the spread of COVID-19,” she said, in a statement.
“Having this vaccine available will help protect the most vulnerable loved ones in our lives and I encourage everyone to get one.”
Medical Health Officer for Kamloops Dr. Carol Fenton took to twitter to say she witnessed it happen as vaccinations begin outside the Lower Mainland.
“The light is at the end of the tunnel,” Fenton said.
Interior Health says the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is being administered to long-term care staff and physicians as part of the provincial COVID-19 immunization program that got underway on Dec. 15.
“You have no idea what this means to me,” said Charmane Lazzarotto, who got the first dose in Kelowna. “As a health care aide, I care for vulnerable people every day and knowing I can protect them by preventing the spread of COVID-19 is an incredible feeling. I am so happy to be safer, feel safer, and be part of history as we fight COVID-19.”
Interior Health says as more doses of the vaccine arrives, it will expand staff clinics throughout the health authority. It notes the vaccine roll-out will be a gradual process and so people are being asked to follow all public health rules to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
The vaccinations in Kamloops and Kelowna come one day after Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, said the vaccine would be available for health care workers in the province including Interior Health.
In announcing 444 new cases of COVID-19 today, the province says there are now 4,108 people that have been given the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine in B.C., with the second dose to come after a minimum of 21 days.
Dr. Henry Gets Vaccinated on Vancouver Island
Dr. Henry also received her first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine today at a clinic on Vancouver Island. She was all smiles saying she hopes by getting the vaccine publicly – it will make British Columbians more confident in getting the shot when it’s their turn.
“It wasn’t painful at all,” Henry said. “Physically, I barely felt a thing at all. But mentally, this is so important and I’m so grateful for the team here.”
“We have a great team that is working here together to keep everyone safe, and this vaccine will be available in the coming weeks and I encourage everyone to be immunized. There is a lot of work that’s been done to make sure that this vaccine works and that it’s safe. I have full confidence that it is both of those things.”
Health Minister Adrian Dix posted a photo of Dr. Henry getting vaccinated on twitter, adding she got her initial dose to demonstrate full confidence in the safety of the vaccine and show support for health care workers across our province.
“The Interior and the North are having quite large transmission events relative to the population,” Henry said on Monday, noting that while B.C.’s curve is currently ‘levelling,’ there has still been significant growth in the Interior and in Northern B.C.
Premier Also Willing to Get Early Vaccine if needed
Earlier this month, Premier John Horgan said he too is willing to be immunized against COVID-19 early if it helps boost public confidence in the vaccine.
“My younger son advised me that I was probably old enough to get into the line. I didn’t appreciate that very much but its a reality,” Horgan, who is 61, said. “I’m prepared to do whatever is in the best interest of advancing the cause of getting as many people immunized as possible.”
“I do not want to queue jump. I do not want to elbow people out of the way to be at a microphone or to be in a photo op. I want to make sure that British Columbians get the healthcare that they need and with leadership from Dr. Brown and Dr. Henry, I’m confident that we are on the right track.”
B.C. began vaccinating healthcare workers on Dec. 15, and Dr. Henry says she is confident that any COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada will be safe and that it will work as intended.
“We will do whatever we can to communicate with people and make sure they have the information that they need to safely step up for the vaccine,” she said when announcing B.C.’s vaccine roll-out plan.
“I will be first in line if that’s needed. if there are problems and people are worried that they vaccine has challenges. I know there are some people that are concerned that this is a new vaccine.”
Henry adds she’s confident British Columbia will reach a vaccination rate of 70 to 80 percent very quickly once the vaccine is widely available next year.
(Photo via BC Government)
The first #COVID19 immunizations in @VanIslandHealth is taking place. #BC ‘s Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry also received her initial dose to demonstrate full confidence in the safety of the vaccine and show support for health care workers across our province pic.twitter.com/p2OdLCYm3X
— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) December 22, 2020
NEW – “In Kamloops we have worked so hard, especially in long-term care, to stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Kelsey Medhurst, who was the first to be vaccinated in #Kamloops.
“Having this vaccine available will help protect the most vulnerable loved ones in our lives.” pic.twitter.com/dqr2CE4RBj
— Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) December 22, 2020
