Some B.C. doctors jump queue for second COVID-19 vaccine dose

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Calling it disappointing, B.C.’s health minister is promising to look into cases of doctors jumping the queue for the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

It happened within the Vancouver Coastal Health region, and that health authority says it’s taking the situation seriously.

“The fact is that we picked this up because we’re reviewing these things. We won’t say anything about the repercussions of this. But just to say, it is very disappointing that we — obviously, through our systems — picked up that this had happened,” Health Minister Adrian Dix said.

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He says the guidance and priority lists from public health have been clear.

“People expect everybody to follow the rules and follow the guidelines, in order to protect our most vulnerable people. We are determined to see that that will happen.”

Vancouver Coastal Health chair Dr. Penny Ballem says this only involved a small number of people.

“The overall goal of this first phase is very, very clear. The instruction is clear,” she said, adding she hopes this will not happen again.

In a statement, Vancouver Coastal Health says “the overwhelming majority” of healthcare workers are following the rules.

“We are following-up on any individuals who have received a second dose of vaccine before they were invited to do so,” it adds.

Over 60,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in B.C. so far.