B.C.'s top doctor announces vaccination plan

British Columbia's top doctor says immunizations are expected to be ramped up in the coming weeks as Health Canada approves more COVID-19 vaccines, but a major challenge will be for people to ensure they get immunized.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says the aim is to vaccinate about 150,000 people by the end of February, with priority given to residents and staff of long-term care homes as well as First Nations communities.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, provide an update on COVID-19 in BC.#CovidBC https://t.co/5sMNG0AB8J

— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) January 4, 2021

For the rest of the population, she says those over the age of 80 will be next in line for vaccinations, which will then be administered based on descending five-year age groupings.

Henry says homeless people using shelters and health-care workers including family doctors will be given priority for shots.

She reported 2,211 new cases of COVID-19 over the last four days, along with 45 more deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 946 since the start of the pandemic.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says the government expects to receive 792,000 doses of vaccine by the end of March.