B.C.’s top doctor touts COVID-19 vaccination ahead of Thanksgiving gatherings

"If you're going to have older members of your family coming together, then you want to make sure that everybody who comes into your household is immunized."

British Columbia’s top doctor is urging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry made the comments Friday when asked for advice ahead of the coming long weekend.

“My advice is get vaccinated right now so you can get together safely with your family,” Henry said.

“This virus is still out there and if you’re going to have older members of your family coming together, then you want to make sure that everybody who comes into your household is immunized.”

Henry said it was particularly important for anyone who is gathering with people who are elderly or immunocompromised and are therefore more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Her advice, though, will be too late for British Columbians who have yet to be vaccinated.

According to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, it takes most people two weeks to generate an immune response to the vaccine, and Thanksgiving is just over a week away.

Henry also issued a reminder that several large areas in British Columbia are currently under additional restrictions for personal gatherings due to increased community transmission of COVID-19.