COVID-19 resources: prevention and vaccine updates

Please Read: As information on prevention, policy, and programs is rapidly evolving, these resources generally direct users to frequently updated sites, rather than single pages that can go quickly out of date. We provide evidence-based resources and encourage members to dig deeper as their mission/work requires. We are grateful to everyone as they do their best through this crisis and wish all well as we work within this extraordinary time.

We recommend people start their search for information on prevention and updates on the BC Centre for Disease Control COVID-19 pages. They provide key learning with ongoing updates about COVID-19 and how things look in BC.

COVID Vaccines

COVID Vaccine information from BC’s Provincial Government: Learn about COVID vaccines, and how to get scheduled for yours. It includes up to-date info on timeline for people who are “clinically extremely vulnerable”. The good news is that having HIV or hep C does not necessarily mean people are clinically extremely vulnerable.

COVID Vaccine information from the BC Centre for Disease Control: vaccine safety, schedules, and frequently asked questions

COVID Vaccines and HIV
This page from the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS contains information on vaccines as well as COVID treatment considerations for people living with HIV.

Your personal toolkit to prevent COVID-19
Public health mandates evolve as life in a time of COVID does. This advice comes from the BC CDC: “It’s important to remember that we have many tools, such as vaccines, treatments and our own actions that can protect us from the impacts of COVID-19. You can determine how and when to use these tools while supporting your family’s overall physical and mental health.”

Child-friendly Vaccination Resources from BC CDC:

A story about Jesse the bear who is a bit nervous about their vaccine and becomes a COVID-19 vaccine superhero
Colouring pages of the above story: Jesse’s story and COVID-19 Vaccine Hero badge
Here is First Nations Health Authority video featuring Danièle Behn Smith. Danièle is Metis and French Canadian is the Deputy Provincial Health Officer of Indigenous Health. In this video, Danièle answers the question of “Should I get my child vaccinated?”
FAQs from ImmunizeBC: COVID-19 vaccines FAQ for children aged 5 to 11
Info from the BCCDC website: Children and COVID-19 Vaccination

Pregnancy and COVID-19 Vaccination

First Nations Health Authority video featuring Dr. Terri Aldred (Tl’Azt’En) who answers the question of “Does the COVID-19 vaccine affect pregnancy or fertility?”.

Vaccine Hesitancy

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: 12 Things You Need to Know
September 2021: The COVID-19 vaccine was created quickly, but was carefully tested for safety. Development did not cut corners on testing for safety and efficacy. The vaccines were made using processes that have been developed and tested over many years, and which are designed to make — and thoroughly test — vaccines quickly in case of an infectious disease pandemic such as COVID-19. Find out more if you or people you love are feeling concerns about getting vaccinated.

Interactive Guide to Support Conversations with People Who Are Vaccine Hesitant
A guide has been developed to help introduce discussion with people are hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine. While it’s designed for primary care doctors, there are points that can be used by all frontline workers.

Transmission and testing

Visit the COVID-19 Testing information from BC CDC to see when you should get COVID-19 testing.

What you need to know about layering masks

If you don’t have access to an N95 mask, or an equivalent, layering masks can be a good option — but that’s only if they’re being worn correctly. Dr. Anna Wolak, a family physician and member of Masks4Canada, breaks down the dos and don’ts of mask layering, as well as some hacks to help your masks fit better. January 2022

What do I need to know about wearing masks?
Learn from the BC Centre for Disease Control about mask use and care.

Questions about Personal Protective Equipment? See the BC CDC guidance about personal protective equipment.