COVID-19 vaccine ‘light at end of tunnel’ for B.C., says premier
Posted December 9, 2020 1:01 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — With good news on the COVID-19 vaccine front in B.C., the premier says there’s hope in sight for the province’s fight against the virus.
A vaccine was approved in Canada a day after Premier John Horgan said thousands of high-risk British Columbians will be getting immunized by the end of next week.
Speaking earlier in the day to JACK 96.9, ahead of Health Canada’s announcement that it had approved its first vaccine, Horgan said the battle against COVID-19 is still far from over.
“We will have vaccines arriving shortly,” he said. “Not in large enough numbers to make a big dent in the short term but that’s the light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s not a train coming down the track, thankfully. It’s a glimmer of hope for all of us.”
He said COVID-19 measures will need to be upheld for some time.
“An overwhelming number of British Columbians get this,” Horgan said. “They understand that their behaviour will affect their loved ones, their community and the province. The vast majority, in fact I know, the vast majority are with the program.”
The first vaccine doses are just days away. About 4,000 high-risk people in BC will be immunized by end of next week.
Tomorrow, I'll be joined by Dr. Bonnie Henry & Health Minister @adriandix to update how an immunization program will help keep British Columbians healthy & safe.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) December 8, 2020
The premier also noted the 4,000 doses he announced Tuesday, earmarked for high-risk individuals, isn’t a large number to start with.
“We will have vaccines arriving shortly. Not in large enough numbers to make a big dent in the short term but that’s the light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not a train coming down the track thankfully. It’s a glimmer of hope for all of us.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Wednesday Canada is expected to receive 30,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine as early as Monday.
The federal government expects to have enough doses for every Canadian by September, which is close to Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry’s timeline she referenced last week.
More details on the province’s rollout are set for Wednesday afternoon.
JACK 96.9 and NEWS 1130 are both owned by Rogers Sports & Media.
