All Indigenous people in BC age 18 or older are now able to register online or by phone 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.
Register online at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated.html
In order to register online, you must provide your first and last name, date of birth, postal code, your Personal Health Number and an email address or a phone number that can receive text messages.
After registering, confirmation via email or text should come within 15-30 minutes, but could take up to 24 hours.
You can also register by phone at 1-833-838-2323. This new provincial number replaces the phone lines the health authorities had been operating. Phone lines 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 if they are 18 or older. There is no requirement to provide proof of ancestry.
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, 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.
New restrictions were implemented on March 29, because of concern about the rising numbers of new COVID-19 cases and the increase in COVID-19 variants. 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.
