17°C Vancouver

Dec 16, 2020 2:19 AM -

First British Columbian vaccinated, COVID-19 immunizations begin

Share On
first-british-columbian-vaccinated-covid-19-immunizations-begin
Today marks the first day of British Columbia’s provincewide COVID-19 immunizations, the most comprehensive vaccine program to ever be delivered in B.C. (B.C. Government)

Today marks the first day of British Columbia’s provincewide COVID-19 immunizations, the most comprehensive vaccine program to ever be delivered in B.C.

Over the coming days, approximately 4,000 health-care workers in British Columbia will be rolling up their sleeves to receive the first approved COVID-19 vaccine.

Nisha Yunus, a 64-year old residential care aid was one of the first people in British Columbia to receive the COVID-19 immunization. Yunus has worked in the same long-term care home in the Vancouver Coastal Health region for 41 years, all in the same unit and on the same floor.

The first person in the Fraser Health region to be vaccinated was Linda Latour, a health-care assistant. Yunus and Latour provide personal care and support to seniors and this vaccine will ensure the people they care for will be a little safer today.

"I am so grateful. It feels like a dream came true. It is both a privilege and an honour to receive the first COVID-19 vaccine in British Columbia," Yunus said. "I have seen first-hand what COVID-19 does to families, and I am hopeful we are getting closer to finally reaching the end of this pandemic, so people can reunite safely with their loved ones and put this behind us."

Latest news

b-c-finance-minister-brenda-bailey-reveals-early-stage-cancer-diagnosis
BCAug 14, 2026

B.C. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey reveals early-stage cancer diagnosis

British Columbia Finance Minister Brenda Bailey has revealed that she has been diagnosed with early-stage cancer, saying doctors expect her to make a full recovery. Bailey said in a social media post that she learned about the diagnosis several weeks ago. She said she will undergo treatment this summer and expects to return to work in time for the fall legislative session. Bailey also said she is working with Premier David Eby to ensure government operations continue while she receives treatment. Eby described Bailey as a capable and important cabinet minister and wished her a speedy recovery.
groups-urge-canada-to-block-rss-chief-mohan-bhagwats-entry
CanadaAug 13, 2026

Groups Urge Canada to Block RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Entry

Leaders of several Sikh, Muslim and human rights organizations in Canada are urging the federal government to prevent RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat from entering the country. During a press conference in Ottawa, representatives of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, World Sikh Organization of Canada, Hindus for Human Rights and Justice for All Canada called on Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree to declare Bhagwat inadmissible to Canada. New Democratic Party MP Heather McPherson also supported the demand, saying the Canadian government is moving in the wrong direction by allegedly givin
shots-fired-in-surreys-newton-neighbourhood-under-investigation
BCAug 13, 2026

Shots Fired in Surrey’s Newton Neighbourhood Under Investigation

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is investigating a shots-fired incident in Surrey’s Newton neighbourhood. Police were called at around 10:34 a.m. on August 12 after a homeowner near 76 Avenue and 124 Street reported finding what appeared to be gunshot damage to an outbuilding on the property. Frontline officers arrived minutes later and confirmed that the exterior damage had been caused by gunfire. No one was injured in the incident. Police say it is currently unknown whether the shooting was related to extortion. SPS is asking anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident and witne
CanadaAug 13, 2026

Ontario Government Introduces Strict New Framework for Data Centres

The Ontario government has announced a new, stricter policy for data centres as demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure continues to grow rapidly. Under the new framework, new data centres in the province will be required to pay 100 per cent of their electricity costs, while the government will not provide cash incentives to attract these projects. Premier Doug Ford’s government introduced the framework at a time when several Ontario municipalities, including Toronto and Hamilton, had been calling on the province for clearer guidelines to manage the rapid expansion of data cen
b-c-dog-owner-charged-after-woman-suffers-life-altering-injuries-in-mauling
BCAug 13, 2026

B.C. Dog Owner Charged After Woman Suffers ‘Life-Altering’ Injuries in Mauling

A dog owner in Port Moody, B.C., has been criminally charged after two large dogs allegedly mauled a woman, leaving her with serious and potentially life-altering injuries. Police were called to the Metro Vancouver community on May 20 following reports that a woman had been seriously injured in a dog attack. She was taken to hospital for treatment. While police have not released details about the full extent of her injuries, they have described them as “serious” and “life-altering.” Investigators say the two dogs had already been deemed aggressive by city officials before the incident.

Related News