B.C. expanding vaccine workforce as province records 559 new COVID-19 cases

British Columbia is expanding its vaccine workforce, health officials said Tuesday, as the province marked 559 new cases of COVID-19 and one more death.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said at a news conference she has issued a public health order expanding the number of health professions able to administer a COVID-19 vaccine.

Dentists, paramedics, midwives, pharmacy technicians and retired nurses are now among those who can join the vaccination work force over the next six months. B.C. plans on opening 172 vaccination sites across the province as it ramps up to immunize the general population and, Henry said, will maintain its age-based immunization plan despite some calls to prioritize essential workers.

Henry said no additional deaths were recorded in long-term care homes — a reflection of the success of vaccinations in those settings.

“I think it is a moment to reflect, as we start to receive increased supplies of immunization products, that we have delivered all of the vaccines as they’ve arrived,” she said. 

Henry said the province will announce plans Monday on the vaccine rollout for people above the age of 80. Communication with seniors will be through postcards, home-care services, specialty clinics and through independent living facilities, said Henry…

Want to know more click here go to source.

From CBC Health News - February 24, 2021