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Editorial: With vaccination rates climbing, now's our shot at getting back to normal

So much of what happens to us collectively in the coming months will depend on individual decisions.
Vaccination Clinic 01 MW web
A senior gets a jab at North Vancouver's Lloyd Avenue COVID-19 vaccination clinic location on March 22, 2021.

We’re heading into the home stretch on getting enough Canadians vaccinated before the Grand Reopening becomes fully fledged this summer. But just as the final parts of a race can be the most gruelling, keeping the vaccination rates climbing gets harder as we close in on the goal.

Those who were eager to get their shot(s) have already done so. At the end, we’re left to convince those who are hesitant that it’s the right thing to do and make it easier for those who’ve faced practical barriers to the jab.

It’s heartening to see health authorities rolling out evening drop-in clinics this week. Not everyone’s life fits easily into standard clinic hours. And certainly some have had a less than seamless experience with booking.

When it comes to those who are hesitant, the vaccines will be a harder sell. The changing nature of brand new scientific data hasn’t made that easy (we’re talking about you, AstraZeneca!). Also importantly, many such decisions aren’t made on the basis of logic.

Peer pressure, fear, perception of what’s normal and relative risk all play a significant part. That’s where the rest of us come in. To boost our vaccination rates higher, health leaders can’t do it alone.

People are more likely to take the advice of those they know and trust. Working with community leaders has always been a part of the B.C. campaign. But those smaller conversations among friends and family are also important.

So much of what happens to us collectively in the coming months will depend on individual decisions. Let’s help each other to make the right ones.

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