The British Columbia Ministry of Health, headed by Health Minister Adrian Dix, announced that they had seen a significant rise in the number of residents looking to have their COVID-19 vaccine shots in the province.
Dix said their office had documented 7,347 new appointment bookings and 8,909 new registrations for COVID-19 vaccination last Monday. Moreover, a total of 9,486 bookings and 10,175 new registrations were also recorded on Tuesday.
They are also looking to set up additional protocols if these figures will still increase in the coming days.
It is believed that the main reason for this surge in new registrations and appointment bookings is the new COVID-19 vaccine certificate, which was announced by Premier John Horgan during a press conference last week.
Dubbed as the “BC vaccination card,” this certificate must be shown along with the proof of vaccination to access public establishments and events like restaurants, concerts, sporting events, theaters, nightclubs, and casinos, among others.
As regards proof of vaccination, it will be required in the BC area starting on September 13. Residents are expected to have at least a single jab of the COVID-19 vaccine on or before the said date.
Moreover, residents are also encouraged to have had their two full doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by October 24, with at least seven days since the second shot.
Although Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said on Monday’s announcement that there would be no exemptions to the proof of vaccination and the BC vaccination card, it was disclosed that only individuals over the age of 12 would be required to present the same.
