Northern Health in B.C. is inviting seniors aged 90 and older, and Indigenous people aged 65 and older, to book an appointment for a free COVID-19 vaccine at one of more than 30 vaccine clinic locations across the region. 

The Northern call centre opens Monday March 8, for seniors aged 90 and older, Indigenous peoples aged 65 and older. The call centre will operate 7 am to 7 pm PST, seven days a week, and clinic locations will be confirmed at the time of booking. 

When to call is based on age, with a staggered schedule that may vary - and some communities may have different directions and eligibility. Northerners are encouraged to visit the Northern Health website for details on their local appointment eligibility schedules, as they may vary from community to community. 

Northern Health continues to work in partnership with First Nations Health Authority, Métis Nation British Columbia, Friendship Centres and other community organizations, to ensure COVID-19 immunization clinics will have cultural supports available for those who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) individuals. 

The goal is to administer nearly 15-thousand COVID-19 vaccine doses through Phase 2 clinics, between March 15 and April 10, 2021. As BC’s vaccine program continues to expand, our capacity will expand with several mass clinics opening by mid-April. 

“Our Phase 2 clinics include venues in more than 30 northern BC communities; ranging from local health care facilities, to schools and local colleges, and conference and event centres,” said NH CEO Cathy Ulrich. “We want to thank each and every community for their help in allowing use of their venues in the planned COVID-19 vaccine rollout.” 

The full list of clinic locations is available on the Northern Health COVID-19 Vaccine Plan

Vaccine appointment call centres expect to have high call volumes in the coming days and weeks. If it’s not your turn yet, please do not call in to book an appointment. Everyone who is eligible to book a vaccination appointment will be able to do so, and nobody will miss the chance to the get the vaccine when a new phase starts. Once you become eligible, you are always eligible. 

Northern Health also encourages reaching out to family, friends and neighbours to see if they need help booking an appointment. For more information, what you should have ready, and step-by-step instructions on how to call to book an appointment for yourself, for a family member, for a friend or neighbour, please visit the BC Seniors First website

Information provided by Northern Health.