What B.C. seniors need to know about booking vaccine appointments

This story was last updated on March 16, 2021.

British Columbia is nowbooking COVID-19 vaccination appointments for seniors not living in care homes.

The vaccination campaign began on March 8 withpeople aged 90 and older and Indigenous people over 65asked to phone their health authority to book appointments. Other age brackets followed suit.

Bob Chapman, one ofVancouver Coastal Health's leaders on thevaccine rollout, described March 8 as a milestone in the province's pandemic response.

"We're really excited about this phase of actually reaching out to some of our public to start calling in for their vaccines," Chapmansaid. "We feel there's been a lot of anticipation for this time, so we're really excited we're here."

Here's what you need to know about booking your vaccine appointment.

When should I call?

Seniors are being asked to phone during the following weeks, based on their age:

• For the week of March 8:seniors born in 1931 or earlier (aged 90 and above) orIndigenous seniorsborn in 1956 or earlier (aged 65 and above).
• Starting on Thursday, March 11: seniorsborn in 1937or earlier (aged 84and above). (Updated on March 10.)
• For the week of March 22: seniorsborn in 1941 or earlier (aged 80 and above).

Once someone becomes eligible they are able to book at any time meaning no one will miss their window for booking an appointment.

The firstappointments were available as ofMarch 15.

Are there any exceptions?

There are some exceptions for remote communities.

In Vancouver Coastal Health, seniors born in 1941 or earlier (80 years of age and older) who live on the Sunshine Coast, or in Powell River, Whistler, Squamish and Pembertonwere invited to call as of March 8.

In the Island Health region, approximately 30 smaller and remote communities that don't currently haveimmunization clinics will be vaccinated as a whole meaning the whole community will receive the vaccineduring a single visit by health authoritiesto the area.

The following island communities fall into that category:Bamfield, Cortes Island, Denman Island, Gabriola Island, Galiano Island, Gold River, Hornby Island, Kyuquot, Lasqueti Island, Mayne Island, North Pender Island, Penelakut, Port Alice, Port Hardy, Port McNeil, Port Renfrew/Jordan River, Quadra Island, Read Island, Saturna Island, Sayward, Sointula, South Pender Island, Tahsis, Thetis Island, Tofino, Uclueletand Zeballos.

In Northern Health, the phone booking system opened to seniors aged 80 and above in certain communities on March 10.

Thosecommunities are Burns Lake,Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, Dease Lake, Fort St. James, Fort St. John, Fraser Lake, Hazelton, Houston, Hudson's Hope, Kitimat, Mackenzie, Masset-Haida Gwaii, McBride, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Quesnel, Smithers, Stewart, Terrace, Tumbler Ridge, Valemount, Vanderhoofand the Village of Queen Charlotte.

In Fort Nelson, seniors 60 and above wereable to register by March 10.

What information will I need to provide?

People phoning to book their appointment will be asked to provide their first and last name, date of birth, postal code and personal health number, which can be foundon the back of a B.C. driver's licence, B.C. Services Card or CareCard.

If you do not have a personal health number, you can stillreceive the vaccine.

What will happen during the phone call?

If you're phoning for yourself, the phone agent will verify your age and ask for your personal information. You'll then select an appointment time slot at a clinic close to your home.

If youprovidecontact information, you'll receivea confirmation message by email or text.

If you're phoning on behalf of someone else, the phone agent will verifywho you are calling for and askyou toprovide their age and personal information before proceeding.

Richard Stanwick,chief medical health officer for Island Health, told CBCthat Island residents should also indicate during thecall if they have no transportation available to make it to a vaccine clinic. He said while it is preferable for people to come to a clinic, in certain circumstances where that is not possible a nurse may be able to come to someone's home.

Which vaccine will I receive?

Seniors during this phase of the vaccine rollout will receive the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

How can I prepare for the appointment?

The province recommends arriving a few minutes early for your appointment and wearing a short-sleeved shirt and a mask.

All clinics are wheelchair accessible, and you are allowed to bring one person for support.

What will happen at the appointment?

At the appointment you'll be asked to complete a check-in process and then receive your vaccine dose.

You'll then be asked wait in an observation area for about 15 minutes. The whole appointment will likely last 30 to60 minutes.