Horgan commits to provide free COVID-19 vaccine, once approved and available
By Province of British Columbia
At his Keep BC Moving Forward virtual town hall, John Horgan committed to provide a free COVID-19 vaccine to any British Columbian who wants one—once a vaccine is approved and available.
“We have worked hard to keep people healthy and safe through the pandemic,” said Horgan. “The difficult times are not over yet, because the virus will be with us for the foreseeable future. But once there is a safe and approved vaccine, we will ensure every British Columbian can get one.”
Horgan’s commitment builds on the BC NDP’s recently announced $1.6 billion pandemic preparedness plan. The plan will boost availability of the flu vaccine and see thousands of health care workers hired to work in long term care, giving new opportunities and training to people who lost their jobs due to COVID-19.
“If this challenging year has shown us anything, it’s the positive strides our province can take when we all work together,” said Horgan. “The last thing we should do now is go back to a government that puts the wealthy and well-connected before the needs of people. Putting people first has been at the heart of our pandemic response and it will continue to be if our team is re-elected.”
John Horgan’s pandemic preparedness plan also includes:
- 2 million doses of flu vaccine doses made available for this influenza season.
- 45,000 high dose influenza immunizations that will be made available to all long-term care and assisted living residents.
- 7,000 new front-line health care workers in long-term care and assisted living.
- A new Hospital at Home program so patients can get safe care while in the comfort of their homes and take pressure off hospitals.
