New Westminster's booster-dose rollout may be picking up a bit of steam.
The city's third-dose vaccination rate for adults has been lagging behind the B.C. average since the province opened up COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to all eligible adults in B.C. But this week's numbers from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control show the gap is closing; as of Feb. 1, 49% of eligible adults (aged 18+) in New West had their third jab, compared to 49.7% provincewide.
Last week, the local rate was 42% and the B.C. rate was 44.2%
The third-dose rate continues to climb for all age groups in New Westminster. For adults aged 70+, the third-dose vaccination rate is now 79%, up from 77% last week. For 50+, it's 66%, up from 60% last week. For the 18-to-49 age group, it's now 36%, up from 27% last week.
Booster doses for the 12-to-17 age group have not yet been offered, but the province announced this week that it will begin sending out third-dose invitations to that age group based on a six-month interval since Dose 2.
For first and second doses, New Westminster's vaccination rates have largely plateaued – but at rates higher than 90% across the board. (See data below.)
The most vaccinated age group in the city remains the younger adults. Among the 18-to-49 group, a whopping 98% now have a first dose of vaccine (up from 97% last week), while 95% have two doses.
The least vaccinated age group, of course, are the five-to-11-year-olds – who only became eligible for first doses on Nov. 29. So far, 63% of that age group have received a first dose. Second doses for that age group began Jan. 24; so far, just 3% of New Westminster children have received their second shot.
Still need a shot?
For those who remain without first and second doses, shots are available on a drop-in basis at the Anvil Centre vaccination clinic (777 Columbia St.). You can check out a full list of clinic locations and hours at the Fraser Health website.
Booster doses, however, are only available by appointment. To find out all the details about how to register for vaccination, visit the B.C. government's Get Vaccinated website.
How many New Westminster residents are vaccinated?
Here's how vaccination rates look across the board (last week's numbers in brackets):
First dose:
5-11: 63% (60%)
12+: 95% (95%)
12-17: 94% (94%)
18+: 96% (95%)
18-49: 98% (97%)
50+: 93% (93%)
70+: 94% (94%)
Second dose:
5-11: 3% (0%)* second doses for this age group started on Nov. 24
12+: 93% (93%)
12-17: 90% (90%)
18+: 93% (93%)
18-49: 95% (95%)
50+: 91% (91%)
70+: 92% (92%)
Third dose:
12+: 47% (40%)
18+: 49% (42%)
18-49: 36% (27%)
50+: 66% (60%)
70+: 79% (77%)
Are you still waiting for your booster shot? Are you planning to get a third dose? If you have any thoughts to share, email reporter Julie MacLellan.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected].
