Interior Health
Interior Health Corporate Office, 505 Doyle Avenue V1Y 0C5

NEW: People aged 40+ and Indigenous peoples 18+ can register following this schedule. Once you’re registered you'll get an email or text as soon as it’s your turn to book your appointment. The fastest way to register is online at https://gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated People aged 55 to 65 can also book at pharmacies in all health authorities: https://gov.bc.ca/pharmacy-vaccine https://www.facebook.com//a.258924264125/4462133077138283/

Vaccines are just one layer of protection - wear a mask and make sure it covers your nose, mouth, cheeks, and chin. Learn more: http://www.bccdc.ca//disea/covid-19/prevention-risks/masks

We have administered over 200,000 vaccination in our region. Huge thanks to everyone involved in making this happen. Please continue following public health orders and keep each other safe! Thank YOU! To learn more about current vaccine eligibility visit: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/covid-19-vaccines/... Greg gets his COVID-19 dose from RN Maddison at the North Shuswap Community Hall in Celista last week. Greg said his shot was over before he even knew it was happening. Emily is immunized against COVID-19 by RN Margaret. I am beyond excited, said Emily. I never thought I would be getting a vaccine in April. The North Shuswap area is part of the community specific immunization program, which is vaccinating all residents from age 18 and up. Learn more here: https://news.interiorhealth.ca//taking-a-community-approa/

Providing culturally safe care is important. We're grateful to our community partners and First Nations Health Authority for working with us to create environments that support cultural safety. Thank you to Knowledge Keeper, Daniel Manuel, of the Upper Nicola band for blessing the opening of the COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena in Merritt. Ian Wood, Interior Health’s clinical operations manager for the region, participated in the smudging ceremony. To learn more about current vaccine eligibility visit: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/covid-19-vaccines/

Determining what kind of care you want to receive at the end of your life and, more importantly, what you don’t is a talk we all should have with our loved ones. Find out where to start #ACPinCanada https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/planning-for-the-future/

Do you have questions about the effectiveness of the #COVID19 vaccine when doses are spread out Hear from Dr. Henry about this https://www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/posts/4303407249677534

Lives saved by transplant are only possible because of the incredible generosity of organ donors. Thank YOU to our donors 110 people donated organs after death and 81 individuals became living kidney donors in 2020. Find out how you can become a donor https://www.facebook.com//a.1168855139830/3657247837657541

"For me, this vaccine signifies an extra layer of protection for vulnerable individuals when I enter long term care homes to provide COVID-19 vaccinations." For Nicole Millard, a nurse with Interior Health, protecting herself means protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19. As of Feb. 19, Interior Health has administered more than 23,000 first doses and 3,200 second doses of COVID-19 vaccines. We're almost through Phase 1! Further information on Phase 2 is coming soon. For more info, visit https://bit.ly/3tcqYr6

Honestly, it was a phenomenal experience. Even though it was a scary procedure and scary what happened, I felt very comfortable. We are lucky to have this in the Interior, rather than going to Victoria. During Heart Month, watch the VIDEO + read Betty Lou's experience in our new advanced heart rhythm program, now open in Kelowna, and keeping our cardiac patients closer to home. https://bit.ly/2OLvtsM KGH Foundation ... Provincial Health Services Authority - PHSA See more

At almost 100 years-old, Summerland resident, Sheila White, knows a thing or two about resiliency. Find out her top 5 tips for staying resilient even in pandemic time https://bit.ly/3deBzw6

Is there a health risk lurking in your home? Be #RadonAware https://bit.ly/3mqfP1F

Please share in Penticton and South Okanagan: A drug alert has been issued due to a high risk of overdose from a light green chunky substance being sold as fentanyl that contains both fentanyl and benzodiazepines. Please check your drugs before using. A full list of drug checking spots is available here https://bit.ly/2XgLyHU

Trail and region: Construction is progressing nicely at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail. A new ambulatory care clinic sits atop the new emergency department. Major renovation of the pharmacy + physiotherapy, oncology, cast clinic, health information management underway. Completion in 2023.

Kelsey Serwa, Olympic Gold Medal Freestyle Skier, was at her home mountain of Big White Ski Resort this past week and shared a message for her community - do your part to stay COVID Safe. Enjoy the mountains of the interior with Kelsey's tips Ski your local mountain + support your local businesses Wear a mask in the lift lines + indoors Keep to your bubble... Remember, there will be time for celebrations and gatherings when the pandemic is over. Right now, we all need to do our part to keep our communities safe. Thompson Okanagan Boundary Country BC Tourism Kelowna Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association City of Kelowna Big White Ski Resort Revelstoke Mountain Resort City of Revelstoke, BC Fernie Alpine Resort Kicking Horse Mountain Resort RED Mountain Resort Whitewater Ski Resort Apex Mountain Resort SilverStar Mountain Resort Baldy Mountain Resort City of West Kelowna City of Vernon - Activate Life Sun Peaks Resort Provincial Health Services Authority - PHSA

Music has the ability to cross cultures, languages, and abilities. It affects the health and well-being of older adults with chronic conditions. To read more about the music therapy work happening at Summerland's Dr. Andrew Pavillion, click here: https://bit.ly/34zkyr5

We have more New Years baby photos to share... These cuties arrived on Jan. 1 at hospitals in Nelson, Revelstoke, Cranbrook, and Vernon. Happy New Year and congratulations to the families!

What will the user experience of our new website be? It's up to you! Designed by the public, with the public. We're creating a brand new website to provide quick and easy access to health information for people living in B.C.’s Interior region. We want to get it right and we need your help! Apply to become a member of our Steering Committee or Public Advisory Group here: https://bit.ly/3p8ofMy

Toxic drugs are circulating. If you use drugs, stay safer. Call 8-1-1 to access medication which can help, including safer alternatives to street drugs. Don't use alone. Have Naloxone and know how to use it. Learn more https://bit.ly/2CsfxFX #StopOverdose

PSA: As part of the ongoing construction of the Royal Inland Hospital Patient Care Tower in Kamloops, access to Ponderosa Lodge from Fourth Avenue will be closed for one week beginning Wednesday. Details: https://bit.ly/33vDE1d

The more people you spend time with, the higher your risk of being exposed to + spreading #COVID19 keep your bubble tight and spend time with the same close friends or family. Do your part: #SocializeSafely. Stay home if sick, keep gatherings small + outdoors w/ people you know #COVIDBC

Did you know? 80% of common infections can be spread by hands. Proper handwashing can prevent the spread of illnesses and infections, reducing the number of people who get sick from communicable diseases. Wondering when to wash? > after sneezing or coughing > when caring for the sick... > before, during, and after preparing food > before eating > after washroom use > when hands are dirty > after handling animals or animal waste #coronavirus #COVID19 #handwashing #everypersonmatters #fluprevention #healthycommunities #COVIDBC #DoYourPartBC #BritishColumbia #InThisTogether Source: http://www.bccdc.ca/h/prevention-public-health/hand-hygiene

Masks have a role to play in preventing the spread of #COVID19, but using only a mask is not enough. Combine wearing a mask with other preventative measures like frequent hand washing and physical distancing.

The risk of overdose is higher than ever. If you use drugs don’t use alone. Continue to use Overdose Prevention Services and Supervised Consumption Sites. Regular cleaning that already takes place at these sites will help reduce the spread of infection. https://bit.ly/3mWqItc

It’s National #Breastfeeding Week, October 1 to 7, 2020! This year’s worldwide focus is supporting breastfeeding for a healthier planet. #WBW2020 #breastfeeding #planetaryhealth Here are some helpful breastfeeding wellness tips from the First Nations Health Authority: https://bit.ly/34gxW2r

It’s time to get active, Canada. Download the ParticipACTION App and rally your team for the #GreatBigMove. Track your activity be it dancing, raking leaves, or paddling calm waters and make your way virtually through our beautiful country. There are loads of prizes to be won! Get active. Get exploring. Get winning. Run October 1-31st. https://bit.ly/3c9lpBL

Today is the International Day of the Older Person. A lot of wisdom comes with getting older. Why not take a moment to consider how you might cultivate it in your community? https://bit.ly/3imx15w

Naloxone is an antidote that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone is still available through health centres, harm reduction agencies and many pharmacies during COVID-19. Being ready to respond to an overdose is more important than ever. https://bit.ly/2EvFS7k

IH's CEO talks about tackling COVID-19 - from the start of the pandemic, to how IH is responding today. https://bit.ly/30hDXLg

Working remotely and on-site, staff across Interior Health wore orange on September 30 to show their support for residential school survivors, their families, and their communities.

Toxic drugs are circulating, while COVID-19 means we are more isolated than ever. If you use drugs, download the Lifeguard App for free on your mobile device it will trigger an emergency medical response in the case of overdose. https://bit.ly/32YsnGJ

https://bit.ly/2InjY3A At a residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake in 2013, Phyllis Webstad recalled having her new orange shirt taken by the school upon her arrival. Phyllis, who is Northern Secwépemc, was six years old at the time and says the experience had a lasting impact. Stripping children of their personal belongings was commonplace in residential schools and the first step towards removing First Nations and Métis children from their culture. The... last residential school finally closed in 1996. The impacts are still felt today and continue to affect the health and wellbeing of survivors, their families, and communities. Phyllis’ orange shirt has become a symbol of this legacy and a reminder that Every Child Matters. Sept. 30 is now recognized across Canada as Orange Shirt Day. As health-care professionals, it is our duty to educate ourselves about the impacts of residential schools. Please join me on September 30 in recognizing this important day and take this opportunity to continue your personal journey towards cultural safety. Susan Brown, President & CEO To learn more about Orange Shirt Day, please visit orangeshirtday.org, and listen to Phyllis Webstad tell her story in her own words.

Did you know that cardiovascular disease is the #1 cause of death on the planet? At least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke can be avoided. Learn how you can take better care of your heart on #WorldHeartDay https://bit.ly/3jdEXY3