The first shipment of COVID-19 vaccinations to Cowichan Tribes is expected to arrive on Tuesday, Jan. 12, with the first doses planned for Wednesday.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been informed by Island Health that we are likely to receive the vaccines today,B次元官网网址� Cowichan Tribes general manager Derek Thompson said on Tuesday morning. B次元官网网址淲e will begin with the roll-out of vaccinating our members tomorrow.B次元官网网址�
Cowichan Tribes has been hit hard by COVID-19. The first cases in the First Nation were discovered on Jan. 1, and as of Monday, Jan. 11, there were at least 70 cases. Chief and council issued a stay-at-home order on Jan. 6 that will last until at least Jan. 22.
Island Health told Cowichan Tribes to expect 600 doses of the vaccine, which will require recipients to get a follow-up shot at a later date.
Members over the age of 60 will be first in line for the vaccine.
B次元官网网址淥ur priority is vaccinating elders in the community,B次元官网网址� Thomson explained. B次元官网网址淲e will make every effort to provide 600 doses tomorrow.B次元官网网址�
The largest First Nation in B.C., Cowichan Tribes has about 5,000 members. Thompson doesnB次元官网网址檛 have exact numbers, but he estimates there are about 400 members over the age of 60.
Cowichan Tribes used a drive-up clinic to deliver the flu vaccine in the fall of 2020, and about 1,000 members took advantage of that. Thompson expects to use a similar format to administer the COVID-19 vaccine, with a clinic set up outside the administration buildings on Allenby Road.
Word that the vaccines will be delivered has been met with a positive response from the community.
B次元官网网址淚n line with our COVID-19 response plan, we made a commitment to be completely transparent and accountable,B次元官网网址� Thompson said. B次元官网网址淎nd that has been reciprocated with gratitude.B次元官网网址�
The Tribes government is cautiously optimistic.
B次元官网网址淲e are certainly excited,B次元官网网址� Thompson said. B次元官网网址淏ut we acknowledge this is another step in the process. For months, maybe even another year, we will still have to maintain Bonnie HenryB次元官网网址檚 directives to keep everyone safe.B次元官网网址�
For more information about the vaccine roll-out in Cowichan Tribes, Thompson advised members to monitor , the , and the .
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