Every municipality in the Tri-Cities has now reached or crossed the 60 per cent average rate for booster doses against COVID-19.
Port Coquitlam became the last of the region's communities to record that triple-vaccination status on July 24, according to the latest data available from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
The number accounts for all eligible residents aged five years and older in the city's designated sub-region.
While kids between five and 11 years old are still not eligible for a third dose, as of this publication (Aug. 4), it includes those considered immunocompromised and others who have received exemption to be inoculated.
The Tri-Cities' regional average officially crossed 60 per cent on July 20 months — roughly seven months after first boosters became available for the general public.
Coquitlam also sits at 60 per cent in the same category.
Port Moody's sub-region, which also includes the villages of Anmore and Belcarra, is nearing 65 per cent in a tie with White Rock for the highest triple-vaccination rate in all of Fraser Health.
The bump for the Tri-Cities likely means more eligible residents are choosing to get a third shot against COVID-19 with second boosters set to roll-out in the fall in anticipation of a higher risk of seasonal spread.
Over the last four weeks, provincial health officials have been encouraging anyone who has not received their next dose of vaccine against the virus to do so soon as B.C. plans to expand fourth-dose eligibility some time between September and December.
Right now, second boosters are only available for seniors over 70 years old, Indigenous people 55 and older, those living in residential care homes, as well as the moderately to severely immunocompromised.
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix explained people ages 12 and older who have had third doses of the vaccine will be eligible for fourth doses once they have gone 182 days after their third dose.
Broken down by sub-region, BCCDC surveillance numbers for the Tri-Cities are currently as follows:
North Coquitlam
- 67 per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 92 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 90 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 58 per cent of 18-49 population vaccinated with a third dose
- 74 per cent of 50+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Southwest Coquitlam
- 65 per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 94 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 92 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 56 per cent of 18-49 population vaccinated with a third dose
- 76 per cent of 50+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Southeast Coquitlam
- 64 per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 91 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 89 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 55 per cent of 18-49 population vaccinated with a third dose
- 75 per cent of 50+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Port Coquitlam
- 61 per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 91 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 88 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 53 per cent of 18-49 population vaccinated with a third dose
- 77 per cent of 50+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Port Moody–Anmore–Belcarra
- 71 per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 92 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 90 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 60 per cent of 18-49 population vaccinated with a third dose
- 79 per cent of 50+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Kids' vaccine clinic
Meanwhile, the province's current stage of its vaccination plan now includes kids between six months and four years old.
Parents were able to start booking appointments on Tuesday (Aug. 2) for B.C.'s youngest cohort of vaccine-takers against COVID-19 to start getting immunized.
The vaccine is a modified dose of Moderna's mRNA vaccine, which was approved by Health Canada on July 14 after a recommendation by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.
The Newport Public Health Unit in Port Moody was chosen by Fraser Health to act as the Tri-Cities' regional kids' vaccination station — located at 200-205 Newport Dr. across from city hall.
Appointments can currently be booked at Newport during the following operating hours:
- 9 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. (weekdays)
- 9 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. (weekends)
As well, standalone children's clinics are set to offer the modified pediatric vaccine, which is a two-dose series and families will receive an invitation for the second appointment about eight weeks after the first.
Pediatric vaccines will not be available at pharmacies.
Children who have recently had COVID-19 can get the vaccine eight weeks after their symptoms started or they tested positive.
Parents and guardians can register their kids online via B.C.'s GetVaccinated online portal; an invitation to book an appointment will then be sent via text, email or phone call.
You can also visit the province's website for more information or call 1-833-838-2323.
Second clinic
Fraser Health also has its ongoing multi-vaccination clinic based in Coquitlam for anyone seeking a dose against COVID-19.
The Poirier Admin Building (640 Poirier St.) is taking appointments for first, second and third shots against the virus, as well as vaccines for other diseases, seven days a week from 9:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
This includes:
- COVID-19 vaccine
- For eligible children and adolescents aged five and older
- Tdap-IPV vaccine
- Protects against tetanus diphtheria, whooping cough and polio
- MMRV vaccine
- Protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox
Parents and guardians looking to get their child protected can also visit the clinic. Booking an appointment in advance is preferred, says Fraser Health.
- with files from Nina Grossman, Times Colonist
