Although the expiration date for COVID-19 vaccines is approaching, the BC government has indicated that there are no plans to expand eligibility for a fourth dose.
Currently, eligibility for a second reinforcement in BC is restricted to those over 70, Indigenous people over 55, and those awaiting placement or living in long-term care.
And the BC government is not moving to change its vaccination policy even though more than 214,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine will expire on July 23rd.
Fifty-three percent of BC residents have received their third vaccine, but 1.2 million are still eligible, with health officials administering 50,000 doses of vaccine a week across the province.
BC liberal health critic Shirley Bond said vaccine expiration is a concern and should bring about a change in policy.
“I think the government should seriously consider phasing out the age category that allows people to get their second booster shot,” Bond said.
Pharmacies can dispense the COVID-19 vaccine to all groups except young children and those with difficult health problems.
Linda Gutenberg, pharmaceutical manager at Heart Pharmacy, said she is concerned about meeting demand for vaccines this fall.
“I would recommend people over the age of 70 to get in as soon as possible and not put them on,” Gutenberg said. “If that number of ages goes down, there will be a large influx of people trying to get appointments.”
Pharmacist Pourya Eslami of Fort Royal Pharmacy said it is reduced to the capacity of pharmacies.
“I think the flu season will be very hectic when it comes to vaccines,” Eslami said. “Not just because the COVID criteria will change, and include more people. But also because of the flu season and flu shots.”
Other provinces opened fourth shots to any adult six months after a third dose.
LOOK: The federal vaccine mandate has been removed, there are still other restrictions
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