It's been a little over a month since B.C. began rolling out vaccinations against COVID-19 for young children and when parents and guardians could start booking appointments.
In the Tri-Cities, it appears the program is starting to pick up a steady pace with an 8.4 per cent average of kids between the ages of five and 11 that have been inoculated with their first shot against the virus.
That's the fifth-highest among other regions in Fraser Health, according to the latest update by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) collected and recorded between Nov. 30 and Dec. 6, behind Chilliwack, New Westminster, Burnaby and Mission.
Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra currently leads the age group across the Tri-City region with a 13 per cent vaccinated rate.
As of this publication (Dec. 8), it also has the highest individual third-dose plateau among eligible residents aged 70 years and older at 65 per cent.
The Tri-Cities hold a collective 59.4 per cent third-jab average among its senior citizens
Meanwhile, 10 per cent of all eligible residents above 12 years old have received a third vaccination against COVID-19.
The same age group bumped its double-dose rate to an even 90 per cent, as well as its first-dose average to 92 per cent.
The latest numbers are as follows. Case rates represent new cases per 100,000 people by local health area and community health service area:
North Coquitlam
- Case rate: Two (-)
- Two per cent positivity rate (-)
- Seven per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 92 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 90 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 52 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Southwest Coquitlam
- Case rate: Four (-)
- Four per cent positivity rate (+1)
- Seven per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 94 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 91 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 61 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Southeast Coquitlam
- Case rate: Two (-)
- One per cent positivity rate (-2)
- Eight per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 91 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 89 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 60 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Port Coquitlam
- Case rate: Two (-3)
- One per cent positivity rate (-1)
- Seven per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 91 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 89 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 59 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra
- Case rate: Three (-)
- Two per cent positivity rate (+1)
- 13 per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 92 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 91 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 65 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
THREE DOSES ARE BETTER THAN TWO
Pfizer released preliminary data today (Dec. 8) indicating three doses of its COVID-19 vaccine neutralizes the Omicron variant — a mutation of the SARS.CoV.2 virus that has spread to dozens of countries around the world and that scientists worry could prove more infectious and more resistant to vaccines.
The preliminary laboratory studies, which have not been peer reviewed, also indicate two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine “may not be sufficient to protect against infection with the Omicron variant,” according to a statement from Pfizer Wednesday.
Pfizer and BioNTech added that they believe those vaccinated with two doses “may still be protected” against severe Omicron infections.
“Our preliminary, first dataset indicate that a third dose could still offer a sufficient level of protection from disease of any severity caused by the Omicron variant,” said BioNTech CEO Ugur Sahin in a written statement.
“Broad vaccination and booster campaigns around the world could help us to better protect people everywhere and to get through the winter season.”
Since Nov. 25, the companies have been working on an adapted vaccine that will give people a high and prolonged level of protection against the Omicron variant.
They say they have “high confidence” it will be ready by March 2022 and expect to produce four billion doses.
VACCINE CLINICS
Douglas College continues to serve the community with multiple pop-up vaccine clinics for those still looking for a shot against COVID-19.
Fraser Health currently has three more stations on its schedule for the post-secondary school's Coquitlam campus, located at 1250 Pinetree Way in the Tim Hortons seating area.
All ages are welcome, according to the authority, including kids between ages five and 11.
Clinics are on the following dates and will each take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
- Dec. 11, 13 and 17
Enter campus from Pinetree Way via the entrance marked with a 'Community Centre/Douglas College' sign. Park in the community centre parking lot on your right - it is pay parking. Cross the street to Douglas College and enter the building.
If it's your first dose against COVID-19, you will need your personal health number and a piece of ID.
If it's your second, and it's been at least 28 days since your first, you will need your personal health number, ID and immunization record card.
More information is available on Fraser Health's website.
Eligible residents can also visit the mass immunization clinic at Coquitlam Central Station's Park and Ride overflow lot, where first, second and third inoculations are being offered.
Third jabs are only recommended at this time for eligible residents 70 years and older, as well as those classified as immuno-compromised.
The station's 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, Sundays and holidays
- 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
- with files from Stefan Labbé, Glacier Media
