Parties assure voters that COVID vaccine would be free

The leaders of the B.C. NDP and Liberal parties have offered free COVID-19 vaccines for all British Columbians — when it's available.

During a virtual town hall on Monday afternoon, NDP Leader John Horgan said that if re-elected his government would spend $1.6 billion on a pandemic preparedness plan that includes two million doses of free flu vaccines this winter — plus 45,000 higher dosages for residents in long-term care or assisted living — and hiring 7,000 health care workers specifically for long-term care and assisted living spaces.

Horgan also promised that when the time comes every British Columbian would get a free COVID-19 vaccination.

“The difficult times are not over yet, because the virus will be with us for the foreseeable future,” Horgan said.

“But once there is a safe and approved vaccine, we will ensure every British Columbian can get one.”

No one knows when a readily available vaccine will be available for distribution en masse.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has said it could take years while on Monday NDP candidate Adrian Dix — who served as health minister when COVID-19 appeared in B.C. in January — said the disease would be “with us for a long time to come.”

Horgan said Health Canada was preparing to review a vaccine product. He said the NDP would also create more in-home care to take pressure off hospitals.

B.C. Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson said he was surprised that the NDP had considered charging for a COVID-19 vaccine.

“It's our duty to provide health care to everyone in B.C.,” Wilkinson said.

He said his government would also provide a COVID-19 vaccine for free as well matching the NDP promise of two million flu vaccines.

Once there is a (safe) vaccine, we will ensure every British Columbian can get one.