B.C. breaks vaccination records, with 82,000 COVID-19 and flu shots in one day

Record numbers of people in British Columbia are being vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu, as the province ramps up its immunization campaign for respiratory illness season.

The health ministry says in a news release invitations for priority populations started going out on Oct. 8, and on the first day of delivery on Oct. 15, B.C. pharmacies administered almost 82,000 vaccinations.

It says that was a record for any single day, with about 50,000 shots for the flu, and about 32,000 for COVID-19.

The ministry says there are updated vaccines for both influenza and COVID-19 on offer, including new mRNA vaccines for the so-called KP.2 COVID variant.

The first week of the campaign also set a record, with almost 370,000 vaccines administered.

The new figures were announced by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, who says in the release that respiratory illness season is a time to remember "healthy habits" including covering coughs, washing hands avoiding others if you have a cough or fever, and wearing a mask if you have lasting symptoms or need more protection.

The ministry says the National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends people get the updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall, or six months after their most recent COVID-19 vaccine or infection, whichever is later.