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More than 50% of eligible Tri-City residents have received a booster vaccine against COVID-19

This includes the 12-17 group at nearly 10 per cent as third shots were made available to adolescents on Feb. 1.
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer
BCCDC Tableau breakdown Tri-Cities - Feb. 1-7, 2022
New BC Centre for Disease Control data for Feb. 1-7 2022, breaks down the Tri-Cities into five neighbourhoods for more detailed information: North Coquitlam, Southwest Coquitlam, Southeast Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra.BCCDC

The Tri-Cities has surpassed another milestone in terms of vaccination rates against COVID-19 as boosters are starting to become available to youths.

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) says more than half of eligible residents aged 12 years and older have received a third inoculation.

The official number is at 52 per cent in the organization's latest available data — the combined rate for the communities of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra.

The provincial third-dose average is 45.2 per cent, according to Glacier Media's calculations and based on the B.C.'s government's 2021 population estimation of 5,147,712 people.

Among the triple vaccinated status is adolescents aged 12 to 17.

Since booking invitations began distributing on Feb. 1, that age group is just under 10 per cent.

Appointments are being made available to those considered clinically extremely vulnerable, and was "strongly" recommended of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).

Meanwhile, all other B.C. youth are set to receive a booster booking invitation six months after they complete their two-dose primary series of vaccinations.

The BCCDC adds 70 per cent of Tri-City residents above the age of 50 are triple-vaxxed, and 80 per cent for seniors 70 and up.

The Tri-Cities also saw slight bumps in its first- and second-dose vaccination rates to 94 and 92 per cent respectively.

The latest surveillance numbers — collected between Feb. 1–7, 2022, by the BCCDC — 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: 10 (-7)
  • 29 per cent positivity rate
  • 63 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
  • 92 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
  • 76 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose

Southwest Coquitlam

  • Case rate: 12 (-4)
  • 31 per cent positivity rate
  • 60 per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
  • 96 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
  • 93 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
  • 81 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose

Southeast Coquitlam

  • Case rate: 10 (-6)
  • 26 per cent positivity rate
  • 59 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
  • 80 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose

Port Coquitlam

  • Case rate: 17 (-2)
  • 31 per cent positivity rate
  • 57 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
  • 80 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose

Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra

  • Case rate: 15 (+3)
  • 34 per cent positivity rate
  • 68 per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
  • 93 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
  • 92 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
  • 83 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose

COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS UPDATE

It looks like B.C. is unlikely to follow neighbouring western provinces in loosening its COVID-19 restrictions, such as proof of vaccination and mask mandates.

Premier John Horgan, in his post-Throne Speech comments Tuesday (Feb. 8), was asked about Saskatchewan’s decision to end its proof of vaccination policy next week — as well as that province likely not renewing its mask mandate once it expires at the end of February.

While he deferred the formal plan to provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, who is set to announce B.C.'s approach next week, Horgan was abundantly clear in stating that B.C. will follow the advice of the health officials — not "elected officials."

"With respect to different jurisdictions, everybody has addressed this in a different way," Horgan said.

"I believe that masks are effective in protecting people, and I don’t believe that an arbitrary decision by an elected official is the best way forward in that regard. Similarly, the immunization cards [are] supported by a vast majority of people to ensure that the sacrifices that they’ve made have provided benefits for them and their families moving forward."

Alberta lifted all of its COVID-19 health and safety restrictions at 12 a.m. MST today (Feb. 9), including its version of the vaccine card.

VACCINE CLINICS

There are two clinics in Coquitlam where Tri-City residents can book an appointment to receive a vaccine dose against COVID-19.

The Poirier Forum's large immunization station — at 25,000 sq. ft. of covered outdoor space — is allowing hundreds of potential eligible individuals to get jabbed.

Fraser Health's calendar shows the clinic is open seven days a week between 10:45 a.m. and 5:05 p.m.

As well, the Coquitlam Central SkyTrain station's park and ride overflow lot is open for appointment bookings for vaccines as an immunization clinic and testing centre.

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 a file from Chuck Chiang and Glen Korstrom, Business In Vancouver