With the threat of the highly-transmissible Omicron variant in the mix, it appears more families are choosing to get vaccinated for the holidays, especially young kids in the Tri-Cities.
The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is reporting a 34.6 per cent average rate among eligible kids aged five to 11 in the region who have been inoculated with their first dose against the virus.
The data was recorded and published between Dec. 13 and 19 and marks a 10 per cent increase compared to the previous weekly count.
Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra is nearing a milestone, with nearly half of its young population getting a first vaccination dose (45 per cent).
Port Moody is now the city with the most jabs for kids in the Tri-City sub-regions, according to BCCDC's surveillance data.
On the other side of the spectrum, older residents in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra have reached a 67 per cent combined rate for booster jabs.
All eligible people in the region — older and immuno-compromised — account for 13 per cent of third doses of vaccine against COVID-19, which is a two per cent increase from last week.
The new numbers are on the heels of the B.C. government implementing more public health restrictions amid Omicron, including no more than six people at a table in a restaurant, no bars and clubs and no indoor organized gatherings of any size (weddings, receptions, celebrations, etc.).
The new orders come into effect at 11:59 p.m. tonight (Dec. 22) and will stay in place until Jan. 18, 2022.
Provincial officials have also come under increasing pressure to ramp up B.C.’s booster vaccination campaign as the emergence of the Omicron variant has provinces such as Ontario rapidly expanding eligibility for third doses.
There are currently 756 known cases of the variant in the province, including 129 in Fraser Health.
B.C.’s strategy since the outset of the mass vaccination campaign that got underway almost exactly a year ago has been to focus on specific age groups and higher-risk populations, generally staggering eligibility based on descending age brackets.
Those initial efforts were targeting those ages 70 years and older, Indigenous populations in rural locations, residents in long-term-care and assisted-living, the immunosuppressed and health-care workers who received their initial two doses at a shorter interval than the general population.
Eligibility has since expanded to some younger age brackets and those who received two AstraZeneca doses rather than at least one dose of an mRNA product, such as those made by Pfizer Inc. or Moderna Inc.
But booster doses for the bulk of the general population are not expected to be administered until January, February and March.
“Our program has and needs to be scaling up to make sure that those who need it most get it first,” provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday (Dec. 21) as health minister Adrian Dix insisted that B.C. would be sticking to its age-based program.
According to the BCCDC, 90.2 per cent of eligible Tri-City residents aged 12 and older have been double-vaccinated against COVID-19 — 92.4 per cent for first doses in the same age group.
The latest surveillance 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: 12 (+1)
- Five per cent positivity rate (+3)
- 33 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
- 61 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Southwest Coquitlam
- Case rate: 10 (-10)
- Five per cent positivity rate (+2)
- 32 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
- 68 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Southeast Coquitlam
- Case rate: 14 (+6)
- Six per cent positivity rate (+4)
- 32 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
- 89 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 68 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Port Coquitlam
- Case rate: 9 (-14)
- Four per cent positivity rate (+1)
- 31 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
- 67 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra
- Case rate: 20 (+2)
- Six per cent positivity rate (+3)
- 45 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
- 91 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 72 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
VACCINE CLINICS
Tri-City residents looking to get vaccinated against COVID-19 can still do so at the region's mass immunization clinic.
The Coquitlam Central Station's Park and Ride overflow lot has adjusted its operating schedule with the holidays fast approaching but remains open to walk-ins in need of a first, second or third dose if eligible.
The clinic will be closed Friday to Sunday (Dec. 24-26), New Year's Eve (Dec. 31) and New Year's Day (Jan. 1, 2022).
If it's your first dose against COVID-19, you will need your personal health number and a piece of ID.
Kids aged five to 11 are also welcome, but parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to book an appointment in advance.
If it's your second, and it's been at least 28 days since your first jab, you will need your personal health number, ID and immunization record card.
More information is available on Fraser Health's website.
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 and entry instructions 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 Tyler Orton, Business In Vancouver
