The Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott has confirmed Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.2 are present in the Yukon. Currently the BA.1 is the dominant variant in the Yukon.
The acting Chief Medical Officer of Health is continuously assessing the risks of variants. Risk assessment includes information about circulating variants, the vaccination rate in the Yukon's population and epidemiology across Canada and internationally.
Vaccines continue to offer the best protection against severe illness with circulating variants and significantly reduce the risks of infection and transmission. It is important for people to get vaccinated and to keep their vaccines up to date.
Vaccine appointments can be made online at yukon.ca/this-is-our-shot. Whitehorse residents can also call 1-877-374-0425. Residents in rural communities can call their local health centre to book an appointment and can find clinic dates and times on Yukon.ca.
We are now seeing both the BA.1 and BA.2 variants of omicron in the Yukon. Please ensure your vaccines are up to date and use your COVID sense. This means staying home when sick, wearing a mask, washing your hands, and using fresh air and physical distance to reduce your risk.
Samantha Henney
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-332-8321
samantha.henney@yukon.ca