Dr. Bonnie Henry provides update on respiratory virus season in British Columbia

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry encouraged British Columbians to get up-to-date flu and COVID-19 vaccinations and “dust off” their healthy habits as respiratory illness season approaches.

“I cannot say it enough: vaccination, these vaccines, are the best way we have to protect ourselves and our families from serious illnesses, and the best way to protect our health system, which ensures that people who need care most can get it,” she said at a press conference Tuesday morning.

This season’s vaccination campaign began in earnest after the Thanksgiving long weekend, with vaccines going first to the elderly and those who are immunocompromised.

Last week, a record number of vaccine doses were sent into arms: 369,774 in total, according to the province.

Officials expect everyone in the province to receive an invitation to get vaccinated by the first week of November.

The health official also reminded people to do the “simple things that should be ingrained in all of us now,” including covering coughs, washing hands and staying home when sick.

This is a developing story and will be updated.