The mayor of Kamloops says vaccines are the solution to ending the pandemic and to economic recovery.

Ken Christian was speaking during his mayor’s report at council.

As of today, Interior Health says 69,642 people have been vaccinated in Kamloops with at least one dose with another 6,237 second doses administered.

“As I said to Interior Health last week, I believe we have probably a five-week window where people where still be focused on this pandemic. Because, with that restart plan, there’s a sentiment that this is over. Well it’s not over.”

Christian says he’s concerned that we could still see outbreaks of the virus in the fall within the “under-vaccinated” population, when we get back to more indoor activities, which could delay economic recovery.

He says the two vaccine clinics in Kamloops can give up to 1,500 shots per day, and he says at that rate we’d be in a much better position in five weeks.

“And we need to ensure that those individuals, particularly in the 20-to-40 age bracket, are encouraged to register, to book an appointment and to get vaccinated,” Christian says. “We need to push.”