B.C. moves to next stage of vaccine rollout with online booking

British Columbia is shifting into its next phase in the vaccine rollout, allowing people to book their appointments online.

The provincial government wants people to register first to get a confirmation code, then book an appointment for a shot when they are contacted by email, text or phone.

Starting today, people born in 1950 or earlier, Indigenous people 18 and older, and those who have certain medical conditions can book their appointments through the online portal.

Those aged 55 to 65 and living in the Lower Mainland also have the option of booking at pharmacies to get an Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine as part of a parallel program.

In a written statement, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the supply of COVID-19 vaccines has allowed the province to move into the next phase of its rollout.

The online system opens after B.C. reported a record number of cases over the Easter weekend, including a high of 1,077 infections on Saturday.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said Monday the new online system has been tested and call centre operators booked hundreds of thousands of appointments through it over the past couple weeks.