In just two weeks, Fraser Health has immunized nearly 11,000 school-based employees in Surrey and White Rock with a COVID-19 vaccine. This includes staff with the Surrey School District and independent schools in the area.
Since the provincial government announced early access to vaccines for K-12 school-based staff, 10,919 teachers, principals and support staff have received their first dose. The district is Surrey's largest employer with 11,760 employees, including 6,394 teachers and 2,537 education assistants.
"Our district is very thankful that Fraser Health was able to offer our school-based staff access to the vaccine," said Laurie Larsen, Chair of the Surrey Board of Education. "Uptake from all of our schools was very high and staff have been impressed with how quick and efficient the entire process has been."
The district and health region worked together to coordinate vaccine appointments by district zone based on rates of community transmission, beginning with City Centre and Panorama-Sullivan, and later expanding to Newton-Fleetwood, Guildford, Cloverdale/Clayton and South Surrey/White Rock.
Superintendent Jordan Tinney said the district is pleased to see the high rate of uptake from eligible Surrey Schools staff in an effort to reduce community transmission of COVID-19.
"Over the coming weeks, we expect these immunizations will help protect our students, our staff and our communities as learning continues through the rest of the school year," he said.
Currently, only school-based staff are eligible.
All British Columbians that have not yet received the vaccine, regardless of current eligibility status, are encouraged to register at www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca/s/. Registration will ensure you receive an invitation to book when you are eligible.
Information about the COVID-19 vaccines can be found on the HealthLink BC website and is available in 12 different languages.
The COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved by Health Canada are safe, effective and will save lives. Vaccines do more than protect the people getting vaccinated, they also protect everyone around them. The more people in a community who are immunized and protected from COVID-19, the harder it is for COVID-19 to spread.
Reminder: Everyone must continue to follow Provincial Health Officer orders and guidelines and continue to practice COVID-19 safety behaviours even after receiving the vaccine.
