After confusion this week as to when Bowen Islanders between the ages of 80 and 90 are eligible to phone to book a vaccination appointment, Vancouver Coastal Health has confirmed that Bowen Islanders 80 and over and Indigenous people 65 and over are now eligible.
While Vancouver Coastal Health has seniors in urban municipalities registering in cohorts (instructing seniors over 80 to register on three different days a week apart depending on whether they were 90+, 85+ or 80+) it instructs everyone born in 1941 or earlier in rural and coastal communities to register as of March 8.
Despite information on its website to the contrary earlier this week, Vancouver Coastal Health confirmed Wednesday that Bowen Islanders fall into the “rural” category.
"Due to travel constraints and because there is a small population of seniors 80 years of age and older who reside on Bowen Island, residents in this community who are 80 years of age and older are eligible to book their appointment starting Mar. 8,” said VCH in a statement.
There is one on-island clinic so far listed on the Vancouver Coastal Health website. It is scheduled to take place March 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bowen Island Community School.
“VCH is monitoring appointment bookings and, if necessary, will expand the number of appointments available on Mar. 19,” said VCH in the statement late Wednesday afternoon.
Eligible islanders are to call VCH’s appointment booking phone line at 1-877-587-5767 to register for an appointment and are to have on hand, a pen and paper, personal health number, full name, date of birth, postal code and phone number.
The phone line is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
