Second dose will come late for thousands of seniors and long term care workers in BC

Henry cites delay in vaccine delivery for late second doseThousands of seniors and long-term care workers in BC will not be getting their second dose of anti-COVID-19 vaccines before the 42-day maximum recommended interval. More than 30,000 seniors in care and 30,000 care workers in BC have received their first dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. As of the end of January, less than half of 1% had received their second dose. At that time, BC's provincial health officer said because of a shortage of vaccine, the dates between doses would be extended from the 21 to 28 days recommended by the manufacturers to 42 days, which is the maximum recommended by Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization. Earlier this week, Dr. Bonnie Henry revealed the 42 day extended interval period will not be met in all cases."The Pfizer vaccine most people are still within the 42 days, at least starting to get second doses at day 42. We have some challenges with Moderna because the amount we are getting next week is lower than expected, so there will be some people will be delayed, so it's in the range of four to six thousand for both."—Chief Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.Henry says she is confident people will not lose their immunity to the virus because of the delay. She says although there are no studies to prove this with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, she says the history of vaccine efficacy shows people can go for months between doses without losing immunity.Provincial Government loosens restrictions for COVID-19 recovery grantBC's Minister of Labour is sweetening the pot, in an effort to entice more small and medium-sized businesses to apply for a COVID-19 recovery grant. Businesses can be granted up to $30,000 and tourism businesses, up to $45,000 but so far, less than a third of the $300 million dollar pot of cash has been accessed. The province changed the criteria for the grants in December to enable more businesses to qualify. Now, Ravi Kahlon is hoping to remove another barrier to business, namely the need to create a business plan to qualify."So we've streamlined the process. The amount of paperwork you are required to submit is minimal. And the biggest change I think now, is that now you can go to your own bookkeeper, you can go to your own accountant to have them do the work and we will pay them to do the work for you. So they will do your business recovery plan, and they will submit it for the money and we will pay them up to $2000 for the work they're doing."—Minister of Labour Ravi Kahlon.But, larger businesses, including Victoria-based Harbour Air have complained they don't qualify because they employ more than 150 people. Kalon is promising a new program for them will be introduced soon.