Photo: Contributed

British Columbia may be near the front of the pack in first dose uptake for COVID-19 vaccines.

But in Kelowna, some of those trying to book their first and second doses have been facing difficulties.

Connie Fraser of Kelowna tells Castanet that she was notified that she was eligible for her second dose after receiving her first AstraZeneca vaccine from a pharmacy.

"My husband and I were just notified that we were now allowed to book our second vaccine online. When we went to book it no appointments were showing available at all, looking as far forward as October. We then called the number listed to inquire and they had no idea when Kelowna would receive any further openings, we were told to just continue to check back," Fraser says.

Thursday morning Interior Health issued a news release stating that they will be accelerating second doses of COVID-19 vaccine throughout the region.

“I want to thank the hundreds of thousands of people who have visited our immunization clinics,” said Interior Health president and CEO Susan Brown. “We appreciate your ongoing support as more people become eligible for second doses, we will keep clinics running as smoothly as possible to get everyone fully immunized. Interior Health is constantly reviewing and adjusting clinic capacity, including adding more appointments where needed.”

The news release states that approximately 675,000 doses of vaccine have now been administered and more are on the way as drop-in hours expand and mobile immunization clinics travel across the Interior.

“For anyone who has not yet had their first dose – it is not too late. You can register and make an appointment to get your vaccine, and in many communities, there is also drop-in access available to make it as easy as possible,” said Brown.

The Interior’s vaccine rollout is a coordinated effort between Interior Health and the First Nations Health Authority. To date, immunizers across the region have delivered 520,998 first doses and 154,848 second doses for a total of 675,846 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

There are three ways to register for COVID-19 vaccine notifications:

1. Online by visiting the provincial website
2. By phone: 1-833-838-2323
3. In person at a Service BC office listed here.
4. For clinic schedules and mobile clinic dates in rural and remote communities check here

For a list of all Interior Health COVID-19 vaccination clinics and other resources click here.