February 25, 2021—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 3
Health officials optimistic despite vaccine shortage Hope remains that all of British Columbia’s Indigenous communities will receive shots by the end of March By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter British Columbia – It has been over 50 days since the province began the rollout of COVID-19 vaccine to Indigenous communities and FNHA is reporting that over 18,100 units have been administered – mostly first shots. According to the First Nations Health Authority, 18,100 units of vaccine have been administered on reserve with an additional 3,000 doses delivered to Indigenous people in urban centers, such as Vancouver. Vice-President, Public Heath Response Team, Katie Hughes said that FNHA is working with provincial health authorities to get vaccination clinics to places like the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre and in downtown shelters. Dr. Shannon McDonald, FNHA’s acting chief medical officer, noted that there was a post-holiday season spike of cases at Indigenous communities in the first half of January 2021. “There were 1,000 active cases at the time, and we’ve suffered some loses,” she added. McDonald went on to say that some communities were dealing with cluster cases, but some of those are resolving. As of Friday Feb. 17, there were 278 active cases among the Aboriginal population in B.C. There is a vaccine shortage in the province and health officials were concerned that they may not meet the provincial government’s goal of inoculating all
Submitted photo
Nurses with the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council were in Ahousaht on Jan. 6, which was among British Columbia’s first Indigenous communities to receive inoculation. willing adults in B.C.’s 203 Indigenous Indigenous communities for the vaccine. She noted that FNHA is using all doses it communities by the end of March. has received. On Vancouver Island, 16 Indigenous communities have received first doses of Hugues says the vaccine has reached more than 90 Indigenous communities in the vaccine. Innoculation started in anthe province to date with another dozen other five locations on Vancouver Island, or so communities hosting clinics in the but there weren’t enough doses for all willing adults. coming days. Health authorities hope to have updated “Five (communities) are partially done information in the next month about vacand there’s 30 more left to do,” said cine availability and clinics for AborigiHughes. Dr. McDonald noted that bad nal people living away from home. weather in the second week of FebruAccording to FNHA, it will take 42,000 ary has hampered delivery of vaccine to first doses to cover all willing people over some communities. the age of 18 in B.C. First Nations comMcDonald says that the Ministry of munities. Health remains committed to prioritizing
Dr. McDonald stated that Indigenous communities are raising concerns about emerging COVID-19 variants, but have no information that any of the different strains of the highly infectious disease have reached First Nations. She noted that provincial health authorities carry out testing for variants and have not indicated that the new strains are affecting Indigenous communities at this point. Dr. Nel Wieman, FNHA’s acting deputy chief medical officer, noted that the prolonged pandemic, the uncertainty and social isolation has created stress in the communities. “The vaccine roll-out is creating a new set of stressors,” she said, adding that people are wondering when it will be their turn for the vaccine or asking if the vaccine is even safe. She said that the FNHA is working hard to build confidence in the safety of the vaccine. “It (vaccine) is the best way to stay safe,” she added. FNHA and Indigenous leaders are also hearing from people living off-reserve asking to go home to be vaccinated. Not only is this not permitted due to the shortage of vaccine, but it is not safe. Health authorities are asking people not to travel during pandemic to avoid risk of spreading the virus. In the year since the pandemic started, 78 Indigenous people in British Columbia have died of COVID-19. More than half were people living on-reserve. “We grieve with the families and our hearts go out to them,” said Wieman.
Communities begin receiving second immunization By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Ehatis, BC – The people of Ehattesaht are breathing a sigh of relief after wrapping up their second COVID-19 immunization clinic that saw a majority of their adults receiving their second and final shot of vaccine. Darlene Smith of Ehattesaht said that their small community of 100 saw 28 cases of COVID-19, beginning in November. The outbreak caused concern for the ones that became very ill, but none required hospitalization and all eventually recovered. On Feb. 16 a team of four NTC nurses and a local nurse from Zeballos set up a vaccination clinic for those who had already received the first shot. The clinic was set up for the people of Ehattesaht and Nuchatlaht. According to Smith, some adults over the age of 18 declined the vaccination, leaving extra doses of vaccine. As in the first clinic, extra doses of vaccine were offered to Zeballos residents who interact on a regular basis with the people of Ehattesaht. Extra doses of vaccine were offered to health workers, school staff, volunteer firefighters and others that provide services to Ehattesaht. Smith said she was relieved to have people in the community vaccinated. “The process is over. Now we just need our people living away from home to get it,” said Smith of the inoculation. She went on to say that there is a little
bit of relief knowing her people are fully vaccinated, but she pointed out that people who have had COVID-19 before can get it again. “But now that they are vaccinated, if they were to contract COVID-19 again, they should not get as sick,” she said. In Ahousaht, Chief Councillor Greg Louie said that a team of six NTC nurses and a paramedic came to the village to administer second vaccine shots. Ahousaht has a population of about 1,000 people. In both Ehattesaht and Ahousaht, the second set of vaccination clinics were only for those who received first shots. Those that missed first rounds of vaccine could not get shots at these follow-up clinics. In addition, the vaccine was offered to residents only, meaning that band members couldn’t travel from urban areas to get the shot. Louie said that nurses would be making home visits to residents with mobility challenges. On Feb. 22 more than 170 Ahousaht residents received their second Moderna shots. More than 500 doses of vaccine went to Ahousaht in January for the first round of vaccinations. Not all doses were used but were offered up to other communities. The three-day immunization clinic scheduled for Ahousaht had to be delayed after the first day due to a funeral. The vaccination clinic is set to resume for two additional days on Feb. 24.
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Photo submitted by Ehattesaht First Nation
Ehattesaht Chief Simon John and his council Ashley John, Tim John and Cory Hanson, are relieved to have second round of COVID-19 immunizations done after a cluster outbreak in their community in December 2020.
