Did B.C.'s vaccine card update on Sunday (Oct. 24) influence the Tri-Cities to get jabbed against COVID-19?
For some, perhaps it did.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control's (BCCDC) latest data, vaccination rates bumped up by one per cent, a modest but significant increase for Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra.
This was for single and double doses to 91 and 87 per cent respectively — both above the provincial averages.
It's also double the half-a-per-cent increases in both categories from each of the last two weeks.
But it comes during the week leading up to Oct. 24, when eligible residents 12 years and older need to be fully vaccinated against the virus to access "discretionary" events and businesses in the province, such as movie theatres, casinos, concerts, indoor sports games, restaurants with a table and/or liquor license and others.
As of Monday (Oct. 25), full capacity crowds have been allowed in communities where vaccination rates are high like the Tri-Cities.
The region currently has the fifth-highest double-vaccination rate in Fraser Health and tied for the 17th-highest in all of B.C.
While vaccinations are slowly moving forward, so are case and positivity rates with Port Coquitlam leading the way in each category.
The latest numbers — collected between Oct. 19 and 25 — are broken down as follows. "Case rates" represent new cases per 100,000 people by local health area and community health service area:
North Coquitlam
- Case rate: Eight
- Three per cent positivity rate
- 90 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 87 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Southwest Coquitlam
- Case rate: Five
- Two per cent positivity rate
- 92 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 88 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Southeast Coquitlam
- Case rate: Five
- Two per cent positivity rate
- 90 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 86 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Port Coquitlam
- Case rate: 11
- Four per cent positivity rate
- 90 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 86 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra
- Case rate: Six
- Two per cent positivity rate
- 91 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 88 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
On Tuesday (Oct. 26), B.C. public health reported 84.5 per cent double-vaccination and 89.6 per cent single-vaccination rates province-wide.
A provincial update is expected later this afternoon (Oct. 27).
VACCINE CLINICS
Tri-City residents looking to get vaccinated against COVID-19 will have the opportunity to do at the Poirier Administration Building once again.
Adjacent to the Poirier Forum, the Coquitlam facility is hosting pop-up clinics today (Oct. 27, until 4 p.m.), Nov. 3 and Nov. 7, with first, second and third doses available as capacity and supplies allow, Fraser Health explains.
Each clinic is taking place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Those seeking a first or second inoculation can walk into the admin building (640 Poirier St.) and receive a vaccine as capacity and supplies allow.
No appointment is necessary, but you're encouraged to bring your personal health number and, if it's your second dose, your COVID-19 immunization record card.
Third doses are only recommended at this time for immuno-compromised people. A full eligibility list is available on the BCCDC's website.
Meanwhile, the mass immunization clinic at Coquitlam Central Station's Park and Ride overflow lot is still accepting walk-ins for first, second or third doses during the following hours:
- 2900 Barnet Hwy.
- 9:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. = Monday to Friday
- 9:45 a.m. to 4 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
