Skip to Main content

16.22°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Mar 31, 2021 2:08 AM -

B.C. opens AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines for ages 55-65 after pausing younger cohorts

Share On

b-c-opens-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccines-for-ages-55-65-after-pausing-younger-cohorts

B.C.’s provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry during a news conference in Victoria. (B.C. Government)

British Columbia is bumping up its age-based vaccination plan by offering Oxford-AstraZeneca shots to Lower Mainland residents between the ages of 55 and 65.

The move comes a day after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced a pause on use of the same vaccine for anyone under 55 on the advice of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization amid concerns about rare blood clots.

Dr. Henry says in a news release that officials know from the millions of doses used worldwide that the vaccine is highly effective and the benefits to those over age 55 far outweigh the very real risks of getting COVID-19.

Beginning Wednesday, those between the ages of 55 and 65 can call their local pharmacy and book an appointment to receive their vaccine.

Drop-in service may also be an option at more than 150 participating pharmacies and people must bring their personal health number with them.

The news comes amid a COVID-19 surge, with 840 new daily cases Tuesday but no new deaths.

Latest news

surrey-kaps-café-reopens-after-shooting-incident

Surrey: Kap's café reopens after shooting incident

Kap’s Cafe, the target of a shooting in Surrey, has reopened after being closed for about 10 days following the shooting. Kapil Sharma shared a post about the reopening of the cafe two days ago. Today, the Connect FM team reached the cafe and spoke to the staff. The cafe team denied any comment on camera and said that any official information would be shared by the management. At around 12 noon, there were about 10 customers inside the cafe and the staff was working like any normal day, and looking around the café it was difficult to guess that this cafe had been the target of a shooting j

residents-raising-questions-on-speeding-after-crash-in-surrey

Residents raise questions on speeding after crash in Surrey

Two vehicles crashed in the area of 124th Street and 75th Avenue in Surrey at around 9 a.m. this morning. The crash involved a black Tesla SUV and a brown minivan. The crash was so severe that both vehicles were badly damaged and a tow truck had to be removed from the scene. The Connect FM team arrived at the scene at around 11am and by then the drivers had been evacuated, but the vehicles were still being removed and two Surrey Police vehicles and officers were on the scene. Anju, a resident of the house near which the two vehicles collided, said the vehicles came to a stop in her driveway an

jagdeep-dhankhar-resigns-as-vice-president-of-india

IndiaJul 21, 2025

Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns as Vice President of India

Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday tendered his resignation from his post “to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice.” Jagdeep Dhankhar was serving as the Vice President of India since 2022. He previously served as the governor of West Bengal from 2019 to 2022. In a letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, he wrote that he was resigning in order “to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice.” He also thanked the President, Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers for their support and guidance.

heat-warning-up-for-b-c-s-north-coast-persisting-until-tuesday

Heat warning up for B.C.'s north coast, persisting until Tuesday

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for the inland regions of British Columbia's north coast, saying there is a moderate risk to public health. It says daytime temperatures are expected to be near 30 degrees Celsius with overnight lows in the mid-teens. The weather office says the elevated temperatures are expected to persist until Tuesday night, returning to seasonal values on Wednesday. It says health risks are higher for seniors, people who live alone and those with pre-existing conditions including diabetes, heart disease and respiratory diseases. Environment Canada is encouraging

worlds-oldest-marathoner-fauja-singh-cremated-with-full-state-honours

IndiaJul 21, 2025

World’s oldest marathoner Fauja Singh cremated with full state honours

The world's oldest athlete, 114-year-old Fauja Singh, merged into 5 elements yesterday. He was given a last farewell with government honors in his native Beas village near Jalandhar. At the time of his funeral, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, along with the entire top leadership of Congress, Akali Dal and BJP, were present. On this occasion, a special condolence message was also sent to the family by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. On this occasion, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that the statue of this great athlete will be installed in the v

Related News

Surrey: Kap's café reopens after shooting incident

Surrey: Kap's café reopens after shooting incident

Kap’s Cafe, the target of a shooting in Surrey, has reopened after being closed for about 10 days following the shooting. Kapil Sharma shared a post about the reopening of the cafe two days ago. Today, the Connect FM team reached the cafe and spoke to the staff. The cafe team denied any comment on camera and said that any official information would be shared by the management. At around 12 noon, there were about 10 customers inside the cafe and the staff was working like any normal day, and looking around the café it was difficult to guess that this cafe had been the target of a shooting j

Residents raise questions on speeding after crash in Surrey

Residents raise questions on speeding after crash in Surrey

Two vehicles crashed in the area of 124th Street and 75th Avenue in Surrey at around 9 a.m. this morning. The crash involved a black Tesla SUV and a brown minivan. The crash was so severe that both vehicles were badly damaged and a tow truck had to be removed from the scene. The Connect FM team arrived at the scene at around 11am and by then the drivers had been evacuated, but the vehicles were still being removed and two Surrey Police vehicles and officers were on the scene. Anju, a resident of the house near which the two vehicles collided, said the vehicles came to a stop in her driveway an

Heat warning up for B.C.'s north coast, persisting until Tuesday

Heat warning up for B.C.'s north coast, persisting until Tuesday

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for the inland regions of British Columbia's north coast, saying there is a moderate risk to public health. It says daytime temperatures are expected to be near 30 degrees Celsius with overnight lows in the mid-teens. The weather office says the elevated temperatures are expected to persist until Tuesday night, returning to seasonal values on Wednesday. It says health risks are higher for seniors, people who live alone and those with pre-existing conditions including diabetes, heart disease and respiratory diseases. Environment Canada is encouraging

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital