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Starting Monday, April 8, 2024, people in British Columbia will have access to a free spring COVID-19 vaccine booster to maintain and extend protection for themselves and their loved ones against serious illnesses from COVID-19. The spring COVID-19 booster will be available throughout the province at pharmacies, regional health-authority clinics, some primary-care offices, and community health centres. This spring vaccine remains free and available for everyone six months and older. Given the decreased rates of viral respiratory infections in the community, additional infection prevention and control measures implemented in fall 2023 in health-care settings are no longer required at all times. People are still encouraged to wear masks in health-care settings as appropriate, to continue to cover coughs and stay away from others when feeling sick. Health-care workers will continue to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as masks and respirators, in accordance with their point-of-care risk assessments. While the peak of the respiratory illness season has passed, the SARS CoV-2 virus continues to circulate at lower levels in the community. The protection from infection that COVID-19 vaccines provide decreases over time, particularly in older people, so a spring COVID-19 vaccine booster will ensure people stay protected. Aligned with advice from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, B.C. health officials recommend the following people consider receiving an additional dose of the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine: Adults 65 and older Indigenous adults 55 and older Adult residents of long-term care homes and assisted-living facilities (including those awaiting placement) Individuals six months and older who have been diagnosed as clinically extremely vulnerable (a CEV 1 or CEV 2 condition) B.C.’s COVID-19 spring program is focused on providing vaccines to those most at risk of severe COVID-19 illness or complications, and people who have not yet received an updated vaccine dose. However, anyone who feels they would benefit from an additional dose of the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine can contact the call centre at 1 833 838-2323 to book an appointment or walk into a pharmacy where the vaccine is available. Vaccine appointment capacity is available in all regions. The 2023-24 respiratory illness immunization campaign was launched to the general population on Oct. 10, 2023. As of end of day March 31, 2024, B.C. had administered 1,457,246 doses of COVID-19 vaccines and 1,562,023 doses of influenza vaccines. Quick Facts: Invitations will start going out on Monday, April 8, 2024; reminders will be sent out to those who have not yet received an XBB.1.5 dose and to those who fit the listed categories. There are approximately 3.9 million people in B.C. who have not received a COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccine. B.C. has more than 900,000 doses of Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines (adult, infant and pediatric) in stock and approximately 13,000 doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine in stock for those requiring a non-mRNA vaccine. Learn More: People who want a notification to book an appointment, or who are not yet registered, are encouraged to do so by visiting: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register#howto Read the original release on BC Gov News

The health-care teams at Penticton Regional Hospital (PRH) and Penticton Heath Centre (PHC) have received international recognition for their care and support of new parents and their babies. Both facilities have been awarded the national and global designation for the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI), a World Health Organization and UNICEF program that guides optimal care and best breastfeeding and chestfeeding practices. “This designation recognizes the high standard of care teams in Penticton provide to babies and new parents, giving them the healthiest start on their new journey together,” said Dr. Shallen Letwin, vice president of clinical operations. In 2019, PRH was chosen among 26 sites in Canada to pilot a national BFI quality improvement project, guided by the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada with funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Since the PHC is a close partner in care, a community-based collaborative model was used, allowing the two facilities to work on the project together. This work was also supported by the Systems Change Project, with funding from the Vancouver Foundation. Four years later, PRH and PHC join only three other facilities in the province and 28 across Canada with the official designation. The BFI is based on a continuum of care from hospital to home and aims to create a health care environment where families receive the best care and information to give their child a healthy future. The BFI supports 10 steps to successful breastfeeding, with one of the key practices being immediate and continuous skin-to-skin contact between parent and baby. This contact benefits all families, no matter how they plan to feed their baby. “The Goal of the BFI is to make breastfeeding and chestfeeding easier for families by helping them get off to the best start possible, and supporting them for as long as they need,” said Meggie Ross, Penticton’s BFI lead. “With BFI’s 10 steps to successful breastfeeding policies in place at our facilities, we know the family’s experience improves, and breastfeeding rates increase.” The BFI also supports each family’s choice and gives them the information and support they need to decide how to feed their baby that’s best for their situation. As part of the project, PRH has introduced pasteurized donor human milk from the BC Women’s Provincial Milk Bank as an option for families. “The Baby-Friendly Initiative is an invaluable global initiative that supports all families,” said Lea Geiger, provincial clinical coordinator for maternal infant health at Perinatal Services BC. “The BFI practice standards enhance the quality of care provided to all parents and their babies, empowering them with the knowledge and resources they need to give their babies the best possible start in life. By placing families at the center of care, these standards promote a holistic approach that leads to greater happiness and healthier outcomes for both parents and babies.” Learn more: To become BFI designated, facilities must adhere to and fulfill the requirements of the 10 Steps as outlined by WHO/UNICEF and adapted by the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada for all healthcare institutions. This process is evaluated by a team of BFI assessors. Learn more at Baby-Friendly Initiative - Breastfeeding Committee for Canada : Breastfeeding Committee for Canada (breastfeedingcanada.ca) Canada’s BFI designation plaque “Baby Love 2” was designed by BC artist, Mary Kate Woodward, who currently resides in Penticton. All facilities that achieve the BFI designation receive a plaque.

People who are pregnant will have increased access to prenatal and postpartum care services in Kamloops, thanks to joint funding being provided to the First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic from the Ministry of Health and Interior Health. “The expansion of the innovative and team-based services provided by First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic are needed to meet the needs of expectant families in Kamloops and surrounding communities,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “The enhanced funding demonstrates our continuing commitment to bolster maternal and newborn health by expanding access to vital prenatal and postpartum care services.” Working in partnership, the Ministry of Health, Thompson Region Division of Family Practice, local maternity care providers, and Interior Health have addressed potential service gaps to help First Steps continue to provide essential maternity care for patients in Kamloops and the Thompson Cariboo region. The vision for this service is to deliver team-based care, including midwives, physicians and nurse practitioners, who work together to support families through early pregnancy. Interior Health will employ a registered nurse, nurse practitioner and medical office assistant at First Steps which will now allow the clinic to follow maternity patients up to 30 weeks of their pregnancy. This is an extension from the previous service, which was up to 20 weeks. First Steps services will also expand to include postpartum care up to six weeks after birth. “Stabilizing high-quality, team-based care for pregnant and postpartum patients is the goal of all partners engaged in the First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic,” said Susan Brown, Interior Health president and CEO. “Through collaborative efforts, we are committed to providing expectant individuals and new parents with the necessary care and support during such a significant time in their lives.” Opened in September 2023, the First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic provides prenatal care for unattached and some attached patients in their early pregnancy. People who are newly pregnant without a care provider can call or text the First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic at 250-318-3821 to access care. The clinic has seen 395 maternity patients in five months of service and is estimated to serve approximately 800 patients per year. “We want to be here for people at such an important and vulnerable time,” said Joanna Norman, head of the First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic. “With this funding in place we will be able to care for many more patients seeking prenatal and postpartum care in the community.” The First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic is located in Tudor Village at 1315 Summit Drive, Kamloops. It is open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Oliver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at South Okanagan General Hospital due to limited physician availability. Emergency services will be unavailable from 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, until 7 a.m. on Friday, March 29. Patients can access care at Penticton Regional Hospital during this time. All other inpatient services will continue as normal at South Okanagan General Hospital. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.  Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.  The emergency department in Oliver is normally open 24/7.

Oliver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at South Okanagan General Hospital due to limited physician availability. Emergency services will be unavailable from 6 p.m. on Monday, March 25, until 7 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26. Patients can access care at Penticton Regional Hospital during this time. All other inpatient services will continue as normal at South Okanagan General Hospital. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.  Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.  The emergency department in Oliver is normally open 24/7.

New Denver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Slocan Community Health Centre due to limited nursing availability.  Emergency services will be unavailable on Saturday, March 23. Patients can access care at Arrow Lakes Hospital at 97-1st Ave NE, Nakusp. Emergency services will reopen for regular hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 24. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.   Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.   The emergency department at Slocan Community Health Centre is normally open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

100 Mile House and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at 100 Mile District General Hospital due to limited nursing availability. Emergency services will be unavailable from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, to 7 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Patients can access care at Cariboo Memorial Hospital during this time. All other inpatient services will continue as normal at 100 Mile District General Hospital. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.  Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.  The emergency department in 100 Mile House is normally open 24/7.

Please see the attached document to learn more about the look, contamination, and risk associated with the current drug alert.

Interior Health (IH) and Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation (VJHF) are taking significant steps towards advancing patient care and improving patient experience with the completion of the CT scanner expansion at Vernon Jubilee Hospital (VJH). “Improving access to life-saving medical imaging has been a top priority for the Foundation in our partnership with IH in recent years,” said VJH Foundation Executive Director, Kate McBrearty. “Population growth and increasing demand for CT scans had pushed our old machine to its limits and CT expansion was identified as an area of crucial need.”   The expansion includes the replacement of an aging CT scanner with a top-of-the line new machine installed in 2022. Following that, another advanced CT scanner, a new patient waiting area, a control room next to the existing one, and new offices for radiology staff are now open. Having two scanners will enhance response times for emergency and trauma patients.   “It’s a testament to the remarkable generosity of our donors and our wonderful community that we were able to raise the $6.3M needed in record time,” said McBrearty.   A $1M anonymous gift was the spark for the Foundation to take on this project. The campaign went public during the annual Light a Bulb appeal in 2022. The outpouring of generosity enabled the Foundation to reach their goal months ahead of schedule.   “People living in Vernon and the surrounding areas will have increased access to crucial and timely diagnosis with this additional CT scanner,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “Our government is expanding team-based health care, reducing wait times for patients, and increasing state-of-the-art care for those who need it most across the province. We deeply appreciate the generosity and dedication of the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation and thank them for all they do to strengthen health care.”   A CT scanner is a medical imaging device that uses X-rays and advanced computer processing to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the body's internal structures. Newer CT scanner technology, like the machines acquired by VJH, produce better, sharper images with faster scan times, and enable medical teams to see inside the body without operating. “This new CT scanner is great news for people in Vernon and the region, who will directly benefit from increased access to top quality medical imaging,” said Harwinder Sandhu, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors' Services and Long-Term Care, and MLA for Vernon-Monashee. “This will help to reduce wait times and will help with quicker diagnoses for better health outcomes. Our government is dedicated to continuing to grow capacity in our health care system so people can access the care they need close to home.”    This means more patients at VJH will have access to life-saving treatment. Medical teams will also have greater ability to perform non-invasive procedures that reduce pressure on operating rooms and decrease patient recovery times.   “This initiative reflects our dedication to promoting health and well-being for all, by improving access to innovative and improved technology for Vernon and area residents in their community,” said Andrew Hughes, executive director of clinical programs, Laboratory, medical imaging and pharmacy for Interior Health. “This is technology that can help healthcare providers diagnose and plan treatments for patients. Embracing innovation and replacing aging equipment are important priorities to maintain a high standard of care.”   In 2023, VJH conducted a total of 26,850 CT scans, averaging approximately 2,237 scans per month. Approximately 52% of scans were for emergency or inpatients and 48% for outpatients.   “The CT expansion is a huge investment in patient care, but it’s also a significant investment in our staff,” said Dr. Adam Weathermon, former department head of Imaging at VJH and VJH Foundation campaign cabinet member. “As physicians and medical staff, we all want to provide the best possible care. Having access to this innovative, life-saving technology in a bright, open welcoming space means we can do a better job of caring for our patients.”   No one knows better than Leanne Ramsey just how meaningful access to a CT scan can be. The young mom and mental health worker has lived through three cancer diagnoses in three years, needing 15 CT scans through her journey back to health. She has been a vocal champion of the expansion project since its launch.   “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the early diagnoses that I received through CT scans,” said Leanne. “Just think how many more people now have access to life-saving treatment thanks to this important initiative.”