Tri-City children aged 12 to 17 will soon be receiving invitations to get a booster shot against COVID-19.
B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday (Feb. 1) third doses for young people considered clinically extremely vulnerable will be part of their primary series of vaccinations and are "strongly" recommended as per the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).
As of today (Feb. 2), 89 per cent have been inoculated with two doses of vaccine against the virus among all eligible members of that age group in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra.
Meanwhile, 92 per cent have received at least one shot.
High-risk youths may have, for example, diabetes and "a number of other conditions that increase the risk of having more severe illness," according to Dr. Henry.
For those in the same age group who do not face such conditions, the province will be sending out invites for boosters six months after they complete their two-dose primary series of vaccinations.
Henry said invites will be sent out with "information on the benefits and risks of boosters at your six-month interval and you will have the ability to make that decision and book yourself.
"And we do, of course, continue to strongly recommend that anybody who has an underlying condition that puts them at risk does get the booster dose."
Tri-City kids aged five to 11 have reached the 60 per cent plateau for inaugural vaccines. Shots were first distributed in November for young children, meaning potential booster doses won't be planned until late 2022.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control's (BCCDC) latest data available, 47 per cent of eligible residents aged 12 years and older have been jabbed with a third vaccine — 67 per cent in the 50 years and older group and 79 per cent for seniors aged 70 and up.
The Tri-Cities has 93 per cent first- and 91 per cent second-dose vaccination averages against COVID-19.
The latest surveillance numbers — collected between Jan. 25–31, 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: 17 (-8)
- 41 per cent positivity rate
- 61 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
- 75 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Southwest Coquitlam
- Case rate: 16 (-9)
- 36 per cent positivity rate
- 58 per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 95 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 93 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
- 80 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Southeast Coquitlam
- Case rate: 16 (-7)
- 37 per cent positivity rate
- 58 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
- 79 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Port Coquitlam
- Case rate: 19 (-11)
- 33 per cent positivity rate
- 56 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
- 79 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose
Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra
- Case rate: 12 (-9)
- 22 per cent positivity rate
- 67 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
VACCINE CLINICS
There are two clinics where Tri-City residents can book an appointment to receive a vaccine dose against COVID-19 — both in Coquitlam
The Poirier Forum has been open for business since Jan. 25, focusing on first doses in kids and booster shots for anyone that's eligible.
It's open seven days a week from 10:45 a.m. to 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 files from Tyler Orton, Business In Vancouver
