Immuno-compromised Tri-City residents now have access to the third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Last month, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry made the recommendation for eligible British Columbians with specific medical conditions to get a third jab in their shoulder for a stronger wall of protection against the virus.
People with compromised immune systems don't respond as well to any vaccine, Henry noted in an earlier news conference, adding they also have a reduced ability to fight infection.
"This means that they may not have responded adequately to the first two doses and given them sufficient antibodies that they would be protected. And this puts them at much higher risk than most of us."
Third doses against COVID-19 have since been made available to vaccine clinics across Fraser Health, including the Tri-Cities' lone mass immunization clinic.
As capacity and supplies allow, the Coquitlam Central Station Park and Ride overflow lot is allowing eligible immuno-compromised residents who are 12 years and older to walk in and receive a third inoculation.
B.C.'s GetVaccinated portal is also sending invitations by phone, text or email to those residents to book an appointment ahead of time, and it must be at least four weeks apart from the second dose.
The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) says, on its website, "If you believe you meet the criteria to get a third dose and have not been contacted by October 8, get in touch with your health care provider."
The Central Station site is also continuing to accept walk-ins for first or second doses seven days a week.
Its operating hours are as follows:
- 2900 Barnet Hwy.
- 9:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. = Monday to Friday
- 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. = Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
- Entrance off Mariner Way – east side of Rona. Proceed down the ramp and turn right
- The address will direct you to the main lot on the left but COVID-19 Services are located in the overflow lot to the right
- Do not cut through the Rona parking lot. Please follow the signs
The immuno-compromised group currently qualified to receive a third jab consists of people who have endured:
- a solid organ transplant and are on immune-suppressant drugs
- treatment for solid tumour or malignant hematologic conditions
- a bone marrow or stem cell transplant
- a moderate to severe primary immunodeficiency
A full eligibility list for those looking for a third vaccine dose is available on the BCCDC's website.
VACCINATION AND SURVEILLANCE DATA
The BCCDC's new data — collected between Oct. 5 and 11 — shows the Tri-Cities is getting close to a new milestone during the vaccination stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The area is at an 85.4 per cent double-vaccination average among those eligible aged 12 years and older, with Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra leading the way at 87 per cent in its sub-region.
It and southwest Coquitlam also hold 91 per cent single-dose rates; collectively, the Tri-Cities is just under 90 per cent in the category.
The latest numbers are broken down as follows. "Case rates" represent new cases per 100,000 people by local health area and community health service area:
North Coquitlam
- Case rate: Five
- Two per cent positivity rate
- 89 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 85 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Southwest Coquitlam
- Case rate: Seven
- Two per cent positivity rate
- 91 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 86 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Southeast Coquitlam
- Case rate: Seven
- Three per cent positivity rate
- 89 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 85 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Port Coquitlam
- Case rate: Six
- Two per cent positivity rate
- 89 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 84 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra
- Case rate: Six
- Two per cent positivity rate
- 91 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 87 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- with a file from Elana Shepert, Vancouver Is Awesome
