Update on COVID-19 vaccinations and information on second doses
Dear self advocates, families and service providers –
This week the government announced its re-start plan to carefully remove restrictions in four steps over the next four months.
This is exciting news that you can read here! After many challenging months of dealing with the ups and downs of responding to the COVID pandemic, we can look forward to a gradual return to doing many of the things we miss by September.
To achieve this, we need to continue to work together to encourage as many people as possible to get their vaccinations so that case counts and hospitalizations continue to drop.
The purpose of this message is to give you an update on our work to make sure everyone eligible for CLBC services is able to get their first COVID-19 vaccination dose. And to provide some information to make sure you are registered to receive your second dose.
Update on work to prioritize everyone eligible for CLBC
On April 9, 2021, CLBC sent a message to our sector explaining that everyone eligible to receive services had been prioritized to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Teams of staff worked hard with the Ministry of Health to rapidly send out letters to more than 24,000 individuals. We are pleased to report that this project is complete and that everyone who wanted a vaccination should have now had the opportunity to receive their first dose.
Make sure you are registered for your second dose
To get your second dose, you need to be registered in the province’s Get Vaccinated System. If you already registered to receive your first dose, you don’t need to do anything and you will be notified by email, text or phone when it is your turn to book an appointment for a second dose. If someone registered for you, ask them to watch out for the booking invitation to book your second dose. The information will go to the email address or phone number that was provided at the time of registration.
If you aren’t sure you registered, you should try and register again. There is no harm in registering a second time.
There are two options:
- Online: https://www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca/s/
- By phone: 1-933-838-2323
When it is your turn for the second dose, you will receive an email, text message, or phone call inviting you to book.
When you go for your second dose appointment, remember to bring your immunization record with you.
If you need a copy of your COVID-19 record, you can register to view it at www.healthgateway.gov.bc.ca.
Still not sure about a vaccination?
COVID-19 vaccinations are proven to protect you against severe COVID-19 and to help prevent transmission.
However, we understand that the decision to get vaccinated is not easy for some people. For example, some self advocates might be worried about getting a vaccination because of other health conditions. There may be some support workers who don’t feel they need to get vaccinated because they live in a part of the province that has not yet been hard hit.
Whatever your concern, please take some time to read information on the BC Centre for Disease Control web site here, and talk to your health care provider to help you make your decision.
Finally, please take some time to watch this short video of self advocates showing their leadership to encourage us all to get vaccinated, with support from provincial leaders.
Let’s all work together to help reduce transmission and achieve the government’s restart goals by September. CLBC will provide further details as they become available.
Sincerely,
Ross Chilton
CEO, Community Living BC