B.C. residents can still get COVID shots until arrival of updated vaccines: province
British Columbia says its current supply of COVID-19 vaccines will remain available until new formulations are approved, unlike other provinces that say they’re following instructions from the Public Health Agency of Canada to remove and destroy existing doses.
A spokesman for the provincial health officer says B.C. residents are encouraged to wait for the updated COVID vaccines if possible, but people can still get last season’s shots if they need them.
Officials in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec say they are following a federal directive to dispose of vaccine stocks that target the XBB.1.5 variant, since updated formulations are expected this fall.
But a spokesperson for PHAC and Health Canada says that “transition plan” gives each province and territory the “flexibility” to ensure people can still access current shots until new ones are approved.