B.C.'s booster dose rollout for children aged 12 to 17 began Feb. 1 and in the three weeks since, those eligible in the Tri-Cities have taken advantage.
As of Tuesday (Feb. 22), a combined 32 per cent of adolescents in the region have been vaccinated a third time against COVID-19.
The 11 per cent weekly increase from Feb. 15 comes as the province has loosened most of its public health orders — primarily on capacity limits at ticketed indoor events — but favours the vaccinated as most still require a vaccine card.
The Tri-Cities' rate total also quadrupled the last two weeks from eight per cent on Feb. 8, according to the latest data by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
The current plateau is the second highest in Fraser Health — with New Westminster leading the health region at 38 per cent — and is tied for the 10th highest in all of B.C.
Broken down, Port Moody adolescents, combined with those living in Anmore and Belcarra, are above the regional triple-vaccinated average at 36 per cent — a 13 per cent week-to-week upswing.
That's good enough for second in Fraser Health as well, but is also the fourth-highest rate among every B.C. community.
Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam are in the top five across the health authority at 32 and 31 per cent respectively.
The numbers have the two cities in B.C.'s top 10 among teens triple-vaccinated against the virus.
Meanwhile, the Tri-Cities boasts a 54 per cent combined three-dose rate among all eligible residents. Last week, the BCCDC updated its data reporting by adding kids aged five to 11 to the rest of the pack, 12 years and older.
The category also currently has 92 and 87 per cent single- and double-vaccination rates.
The latest surveillance numbers — collected between Feb. 15–21, 2022 — 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: Five (-3)
- 22 per cent positivity rate
- 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
- 86 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 78 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Southwest Coquitlam
- Case rate: Five (-3)
- 17 per cent positivity rate
- 62 per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 93 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 89 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 82 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Southeast Coquitlam
- Case rate: Three (-2)
- 14 per cent positivity rate
- 62 per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 90 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 86 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 81 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Port Coquitlam
- Case rate: Six (-4)
- 17 per cent positivity rate
- 58 per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 90 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 86 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 81 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra
- Case rate: Six (-4)
- 18 per cent positivity rate
- 70 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
- 88 per cent of 5+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 84 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
VACCINE CLINICS
There are two clinics in Coquitlam where Tri-City residents can book an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine dose.
The Poirier Forum's larger immunization station — 25,000 sq. ft. of space — is open seven days a week between 10:45 a.m. and 5:05 p.m. for first, second and third doses against the virus.
As well, the Coquitlam Central SkyTrain station's park and ride overflow lot is open for appointment bookings.
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.
