The mayor of Kamloops says in terms of COVID-19, he continues to have concerns as we look ahead to 2021.

Ken Christian says it will take time before there is widespread immunity from the virus.

And he worries about people letting their guard down with vaccines now available, albeit in a short but growing supply.

“To vaccinate a city of 100,000 people is going to be a challenge. And it’s not going to be a challenge that will happen in the very near future; this is a challenge that will roll out in 2021,” Christian says.

“And until it does, until we get the kind of immunity in our community that we need, we have to be vigilant about maintaining the kinds of protocols and cautions that we have become used to… And let me be clear about this: vaccines don’t save lives, vaccinations save lives.”

Christian is urging people to continue with following COVID-19 safety protocols and remaining vigilant.

As of Dec. 30, the province had vaccinated more than 14,000 people in B.C. against COVID-19. Starting next week, on Jan. 4, the province will be providing the number of vaccination doses given in each of the five health authorities.