Pregnant people in B.C. designated a priority population to receive COVID-19 vaccine

Those who are pregnant in British Columbia have now been designated a priority population to receive COVID-19 vaccine.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says data shows pregnant people experience severe illness from COVID-19 at a rate similar to those who are in their 50s.

She says prioritizing people who are pregnant and 16 years and older for vaccination will help protect them, their babies and the wider community.

B.C. has recorded 697 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 132,353, along with one new death.

There are 7,161 active COVID-19 cases, with 486 people hospitalized.

More than 1.9 million vaccine doses have been administered so far in B.C.