COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Now Open to all Indigenous People 18+
Press Release
All Indigenous people in BC age 18 or older are now able to register for a COVID-19 first-dose vaccination appointment as part of the province’s mass vaccination clinics. This provides an opportunity for First Nations who live away from home to be vaccinated on a priority basis, and an added choice for those who live in community but have not yet received their first vaccine.
Indigenous people and communities are being prioritized for access to vaccines because they face higher risks for infection and serious illness.
Call centres are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., every day, with reduced hours on statutory holidays. Callers who self-identify as Indigenous (status or non-status First Nations, Metis or Inuit) can register. There is no requirement to provide proof of ancestry.
| Fraser Health Authority | 1-855-755-2455 |
| Interior Health Authority | 1-877-740-7747 |
| Northern Health Authority | 1-844-255-7555 |
| Vancouver Coastal Health Authority | 1-877-587-5767 |
| Vancouver Island Health Authority | 1-833-348-4787 |
If you are unsure what Health Authority region you live in, visit this website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/partners/health-authorities/regional-health-authorities
The regional call centres will shut down April 18, to be replaced with a single phone number for all British Columbians to reach out to. An online provincial registration and booking system will launch on April 6.
The acceleration of the vaccination program in BC means that an estimated 14 per cent of all eligible British Columbians have already been vaccinated. Despite this good news, we know that COVID-19 cases are once again rising in BC. Medical Officers at the FNHA are encouraging everyone—even those who have already been vaccinated— to continue wearing masks, washing their hands, physically distancing wherever possible, and following Public Health Orders from Dr. Bonnie Henry, the Provincial Health Officer.
While everyone, including Dr. Bonnie Henry, were hopeful that we would be able to loosen public measures, new restrictions were implemented on Monday (March 29), because of concern about the rising numbers of new COVID cases and the increase in COVID variants. (People want to know why these restrictions were put in place). These new public health orders are aimed at preventing further spread of COVID-19. The restrictions, explained in this FNHA news post, will be in place until April 18.
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccines, visit the FNHA’s FAQs page.
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