The Elk Valley Physicians are excited that the Moderna vaccine has arrived in Fernie and that the first shipment of doses has been administered to 200 people. Long term care patients were first to receive the vaccine and front line workers will be next.

The Elk Valley Physicians wrote on Facebook, “Although that may seem like a small number, our most vulnerable citizens in long term care and their care providers were lined up at the start line. We are so lucky to have caring individuals on the front line doing their part to keep our community safe. We don’t have to look far to see the devastation this virus is causing: 1000 deaths in BC to date.”

B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is urging everyone to remain patient as immunization efforts scale up. Henry said, “We do not have enough supply coming between now and the end of March to achieve that community immunity that protects us,” she said during a Monday briefing. “But let me be clear: Everyone will have their turn. The focus is on these core groups between now and the end of March. We expect more vaccines and more vaccines to be approved for use.”

Moderna is still ramping up its deliveries to B.C. with 20,700 doses set to arrive the week of Jan. 11 to 17. Moderna recommends that second doses are administered about 28 days after the first doses.

Scientific studies have shown that within two weeks of getting the first dose, the protection rate of both vaccines is in the 85-to-90% range. After the second dose, that goes up to 95%.

Vaccine announcements will be forthcoming, stay alert for updates. We are not out of the woods yet, so stay the course, avoid social gatherings, wear a mask and wash your hands.