VANCOUVER -- The B.C. government is expanding the number of seniors eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment earlier than expected. People who are 85 and older will be able to register for their vaccination beginning at noon on Thursday, according to Health Minister Adrian Dix. The minister said major issues with the Telus call centre servicing the Vancouver Coastal Health region have been resolved, and that 37,661 appointments were made across the province by 4 p.m. Wednesday. "There's lots of space on the lines and there has been all afternoon," Dix said. The government previously criticized the service contracted from Telus after only 369 appointments were booked under Vancouver Coastal Health on Monday. Dix confirmed there are now 7,343 appointments scheduled in the health authority region, and praised the telecommunications company for the quick turnaround.