Interior Health says it more than 35 per cent of people living in the health authority have been immunized against COVID-19.

In a statement, the health authority said there have been about 275,000 doses administered throughout the Interior since the first dose back on Dec 22, 2020. Of the total, there have been 260,345 first doses and 14,071 second doses administered.

“Interior Health’s immunization campaign is running at full speed and I couldn’t be more proud,” IHA President and CEO Susan Brown said, in a statement. “Every dose brings us closer to wide-spread immunization in IH. This is our biggest tool in the fight against COVID-19.”

The health authority covers an area of about 215,000 square kilometres with a population of more than 801,000 people, including around 100,000 in Kamloops. Ten days ago, Medical Health Officer, Dr. Carol Fenton said roughly one-third of Kamloops residents have gotten at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Interior Health says its vaccine rollout is a coordinated effort between the health authority, the First Nations Health Authority, First Nations communities, municipalities and regional districts.

“I am hearing happy reports from every corner of IH. In Williams Lake, for example, there are staff who have worked at nearly every immunization clinic, doing anything needed to be done, from supporting their team, to easing client anxiety,” added Brown.

“I know there are countless other individuals, including employees, physicians, volunteers and community partners who are going above and beyond – we encourage them to keep up their good work!”

All adults in B.C. are able to register for a COVID-19 vaccine. IH says they will get a notification telling them when it is their turn to book a vaccine appointment under the age-based program. Further, all adults who are 30 and older can also get a vaccine dose at a local pharmacy, if there are doses available.

Details on participating pharmacies can be found here.