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October 10, 2021 - 10:35 AM
B.C. is preparing to offer COVID-19 vaccines to kids younger than 12 once it has been approved by Health Canada.
Yesterday, Oct. 9, some Lower Mainland media outlets reported the province’s Get Vaccinated website opened for children ages five to 11 to register, but Jeffrey Ferrier, executive director of Health Communications with the province, said via email this has been the case all along.
“Registering your child is a great step right now as we await approvals from Health Canada,” he said.
“Throughout the pandemic, B.C.’s approach to vaccination booking is that we provide notification to people when it’s their turn to book. You are scheduled based on when it’s your turn, not when you register.”
Health Canada has currently authorized mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for youth aged 12 and older and clinical trials are underway for children younger than 12.
On Friday, Oct. 8, the province announced it will be expanding its mask mandate for students ages five to 11.
READ MORE: B.C. teachers urged to get vaccinated as union calls for provincial mandate
From Sept. 26 to Oct. 2, Kamloops reported 226 COVID-19 cases, the Central Okanagan has 223, Vernon has 64 and Penticton has 48.
For vaccination rates, 78% of Central Okanagan residents have received two doses of the vaccines, 79% in Kamloops have two doses, 74% of residents ages 12 and older have received two doses in Vernon and 86% have had two doses in Penticton.
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