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The province plans to immunize more than 300,000 priority workers — including first responders, grocery store workers, teachers and child care workers — starting in April as more doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine arrive in B.C.

The province is projecting the arrival of close to one million total vaccine doses by mid-April, about double what B.C. expected when the initial vaccine rollout was announced at the start of March.

The increase in supply, coupled with extending the interval between doses, will allow the province to target priority workers in essential services and industries where outbreaks have occurred or are ongoing, the use of personal protective equipment is challenging and workers live in congregate settings.

Premier John Horgan said the pandemic has been particularly challenging on front-line workers, who have not been able to work from home. “They are the true heroes that we want to immunize at this time.”

Priority groups include:

• first responders, such as police, firefighters and emergency transport workers

• K-12 educational staff

• child care staff

• grocery store workers

• postal workers

• bylaw and quarantine officers

• manufacturing workers

• wholesale and warehousing employees

• staff living in congregate housing

• correctional facilities staff

• cross-border transport staff

Workers prioritized for the AstraZeneca vaccine should not call into health authority call centres to book appointments. Information will be shared with each industry directly.

Last week, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said workers in food processing plants, agricultural workplaces and industrial camps would be prioritized for early vaccination. Four food processing plants in Island Health will receive early immunization for workers, Henry said Thursday.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said the age-based rollout using the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines is unfolding ahead of schedule. Every senior born in or before 1941 is eligible to book an appointment as of Friday.

By the end of next week, everyone 75 and older and Indigenous people 55 and older will be able to book appointments.

The schedule for those ages 70 to 74 will be shared in the coming days.

The province says plans are on track to administer a first vaccine dose to every eligible British Columbian before July 1.

regan-elliott@timescolonist.com