BC’s spring COVID-19 booster program set to start in April

British Columbians over 60 who have not tested positive for COVID-19 are encouraged to receive another booster injection this spring.

Slightly different from the National Advisory Committee on ImmunizationBritish Columbia provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on Friday suggested people without natural immunity get the booster.

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The booster program, starting in April, will also include people aged 80 and over, those considered clinically extremely vulnerable and those living in long-term care facilities.

“This spring schedule is in response to what we’re seeing right now with a relatively high level of airplay,” Henry said at a press conference.

“As we enter the fall, we will be in a similar situation.”

The program will not include the general population, including those who work in health care facilities.

Wastewater data and other information show that additional boosters don’t make a huge difference for people with natural immunity who are under age 80, Henry said.

“For anyone not in the category, our data shows that having had a primary series and a recall continues to provide protection,” she said.

“We know that giving extra boosters doesn’t add much protection. When we look at our data, there is a small step forward for people in their 60s.

The province also announced that public service employees will no longer be required to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination starting April 3.

The decision to rescind the policy was made based on the high level of vaccination among public service employees and the current state of the pandemic, the government said. More than 98 percent of employees have already met the requirement.

Mandates will remain in place for those working in frontline health care settings.

This decision also means that a small number of employees on administrative leave for non-compliance will have the option of returning to the workplace.

“Vaccination mandates remain in high-risk settings where the most vulnerable live and are cared for,” the health ministry said in a statement.

“That includes health system facilities.”

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