It appears more Port Moody children are getting inoculated with a second shot of vaccine against COVID-19.
The municipality that also includes Anmore and Belcarra posts a 26 per cent double-dose average against the virus among eligible kids aged five to 11 according to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
That's the highest rate of any other community in Fraser Health, as of Feb. 15, and the fourth-highest in all of B.C.
It's above the Tri-Cities' collective average of 18 per cent — the fourth highest in Fraser Health behind New Westminster (22), South Surrey/White Rock (21) and Burnaby (21).
According to the BCCDC's latest vaccine progress data, Port Moody also recorded the highest weekly increase of second dose vaccinations for children five to 11 in Fraser Health.
The jump was 17 per cent compared to the nine per cent rate for the rest of the Tri-Cities to Feb. 8.
PortMoody/Anmore/Belcarra also has the highest first-jab average for children 5-11 within the authority at 69 per cent.
Meanwhile, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam are both below the region's combined rate for vaccinations among eligible kids aged five to 11.
Coquitlam recorded an 11 per cent increase, currently posting a 17 per cent double-dose rate against COVID-19 — the sixth highest in Fraser Health.
Port Coquitlam sits at 15 per cent following a nine per cent incline from the previous count. The city is tied with Pitt Meadows with the seventh highest average in the authority.
'LONG COVID' IN CHILDREN
At the province's Feb. 15 COVID-19 briefing, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry urged families to ensure their five-to-11-year-old children are vaccinated.
The 5-11 vaccine started rolling out Nov. 29 for first doses and Jan. 24 for second doses, but take-up hasn't been as high as health officials wanted. As of Feb. 15, 55% of children in B.C. had their first dose and 17% had their second dose.
"This is not an innocuous virus," Henry said.
She warned about the unknowns surrounding long COVID in children.
“We still don’t have a lot of insight into the long-term impacts on younger children from infection, even though it does, thankfully, seem to be relatively mild in younger kids,” Henry said. “We still don’t have a good understanding of children and longer-term impacts of this virus and infections in children, so that’s an important thing we’re still trying to get information about. We’ll need to monitor this over the long haul.”
Henry urged any parents who are still hesitating about getting their children vaccinated to talk to a health-care professional about the benefits and safety of the pediatric vaccine.
“It is important. We do know that vaccination is safe in that age group. The pediatric formulation is working well,” she said.
Vaccination is not yet available for children under five years old.
VACCINE CLINICS
There are two clinics in Coquitlam where Tri-City residents can book an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine dose.
The Poirier Forum's larger immunization station — 25,000 sq. ft. of space — is open seven days a week between 10:45 a.m. and 5:05 p.m. for first, second and third doses against the virus.
As well, the Coquitlam Central SkyTrain station's park and ride overflow lot is open for appointment bookings.
Its operating hours are as follows:
- 2900 Barnet Hwy.
- 9:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. = Monday to Friday
- 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. = Saturdays and Sundays
- Entrance off Mariner Way – east side of Rona. Proceed down the ramp and turn right
- The address will direct you to the main lot on the left but COVID-19 Services are located in the overflow lot to the right
- Do not cut through the Rona parking lot. Please follow the signs
Anyone seeking a vaccine against COVID-19 is encouraged to register via B.C.'s GetVaccinated online portal or call 1-833-838-2323.
You can also visit the province's website for more information on its COVID-19 immunization plan.
- with files from Julie MacLellan, New West Record
