Thread by @cbcnewsbc

LIVE: B.C. health officials provide update on COVID-19 immunizations | #COVID19BC twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Dr. Bonnie Henry: Data shows less than 5% of COVID-19 cases in B.C. right now are among people who are fully vaccinated. 78% of cases are people who are not vaccinated + 18% of cases are one dose.

DBH: Each health authority will be offering new ways to deliver vaccines. This effort is critical for step 4 because more people are travelling to B.C. Dancing, fall fairs, unrestricted weddings will be possible if this plan is followed.

Northern Health has the highest proportion of unvaccinated residents (as of July 23).

The province will host 'Walk-in Wednesday' on Aug. 4 with 20,000 shots available - no need to book or register.

In the next few weeks, B.C. will shift from mass clinics to smaller public health clinics, outreach sites, mobile stations and pop-up clinics to target specific communities. Province will also focus on young people returning to school in late August/September.

Adrian Dix: "We have had in B.C. — and the numbers show this — one of the most successful immunization campaigns against COVID-19 in the world. But we continue and need to do better."

Q: Will B.C. consider punitive measures for those who are unvaccinated?

Dix: B.C. will not mandate vaccines. But should you not be vaccinated, measures will be taken to protect others (e.g. measures in long-term care).

DBH: Many of those who have not had the shot is because of convenience and confidence in the vaccine.

Those questions can be answered for people, so building confidence is important and that’s what we are trying to do over the next little while.

DBH: “It is a choice to be immunized but there are consequences for people who are not immunized."

As we head into the fall, we will look at measures to protect the most vulnerable.

DBH: People in health care who are not immunized will need to mask and be tested regularly.

"I have very little patience for people who are not vaccinated in health care." Notes employees will be limited in what they can do in the field.

Dix recalls measles outbreak in 2019: "If your child does not have a measles vax, they will not be at school - so this is not new. There are consequences to not being vaccinated."

Re: back-to-school plans.

DBH: We are working with a provincial committee and want as many staff members and kids over 12 immunized. We want it to be as near normal an experience as possible.

We likely won't have vaccinations for younger children until later in 2021.

DBH: Starting next week, interval between first and second doses will go down to about 6-7 weeks for most people in B.C.. More evidence globally that a longer interval gives longer-lasting protection.

DBH: We may want to shorten the vaccine interval in clusters of people without vaccinations (e.g. the Interior).

Q: Is there a percentage of vaccine uptake where you feel we can function?

DBH does not give specific number. "I have always been one to shoot for a hundred ... COVID is going to be with us for awhile. The pandemic, we hope, will not."

DBH says clusters and outbreaks are happening in poorly ventilated spaces with unvaccinated people (weddings, funerals, nightclubs).

DBH asked about mandatory vaccines in France to access certain businesses.

Says she agrees - "If I was running a nightclub, I would want people vaccinated." Says she is not ready to have people in her own house who are not vaccinated.

Q: Will B.C. reconsider a mask mandate in indoor public spaces?

DBH does not directly answer. "Masks should be worn indoors in public spaces until 2 weeks post-second dose. Many choose to do longer because there are people they do not know and do not know the risk."

Q: Will B.C. see a fourth wave and more restrictions?

DBH: "I don't see us returning to the same across-the-board restrictions, but I do see individual-level, local things that will have to happen, such as workplace and LTC closures."

Q: Why lower vaccination rates in the Interior?

DBH: There are many smaller communities that are physically distant from each other. Accessibility is an issue. There are pockets of people without vaccine confidence. We're focusing on getting out there and answering questions.

Q: Why not use family doctors for vaccine rollout?

Dr. Ballem: Tough logistics with vaccines — -70C refrigeration, which makes it challenging for GPs. We are training family doctors to facilitate conversations with patients about getting vaccinated. [1/2]

Dr. Ballem: When scale of vaccine program is not so massive, family doctors will likely play a far more active role. [2/2]

DBH: We expected an increase in cases as restrictions eased. What we are not seeing — and are watching closely — is an increase in hospitalizations and deaths.

DBH: “Right now, there is no need for people to get a third dose."

DBH: There will, I expect, be the need to have an international vaccine passport and we will make sure B.C is looped in on these details when that comes around.