Those with AstraZeneca vaccines encouraged to get booster shot

British Columbia residents who got two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine are being recommended to get a booster shot six months after their last dose.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the AstraZeneca vaccine has provided strong protection against serious illness, but lower protection against infection.

“As a result, people who got two doses of AstraZeneca will be receiving invitations for booster dose at six months,” Henry told a news conference on Monday.

The booster doses will be optional, and will be an mRNA vaccine, either Pfizer or Moderna.

“That combination has been shown to be very good and long lasting,” she said.

B.C.’s top doctor said booster shots have started to be administered in long term care, to seniors and those with compromised immune systems.

Henry also said she has “closed a loophole” with the BC Vaccine Card that allowed coaches of youth sports or people who volunteer with youth sports, to not to be fully vaccinated. That is now a requirement.

“Most coaches and volunteers were vaccinated, but unfortunately some people were taking advantage of that not being required and that has led to transmission that happened at a sports events where a number of teams came together with the virus spread between adults and then to children and into schools,” Henry explained.

Henry will also be issuing clarification on some of her provincial health orders.

“We have heard from restaurants and food premises, and they would like more clarification for those premises that are quick serve, counter service. They are not required to check for vaccine cards, but there are expectations on the numbers of people, spacing, distance and barriers that need to be in place to ensure those places are safe as well,” Henry remarked.

Henry said she is also working with colleges to ensure that regulated health professions in the community are vaccinated.

On another COVID-related matter, B.C.’s health minister says over 95 per cent of health care workers in the province are fully vaccinated, while about 3,300, or 2.6 per cent, have been put on unpaid leave as they have not got any shots.

Adrian Dix says surgeries in some hospitals are being postponed due to staffing shortages created by the unvaccinated workers. That includes Kelowna General Hospital which has closed two operating rooms this week.

Of the five health regions, Interior Health has the most unvaccinated health care workers at 5 per cent, or just over 1,000 employees.