New Westminster's younger adults are amongst the most vaccinated populations in the province – but they're still not flocking to get their booster shots.
The 18-to-49 age group leads the way in New Westminster when it comes to COVID vaccines, with a first-dose vaccination rate of 99% and a second-dose rate of 97%, according to the latest weekly update from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.
Those rates are higher than for the city's older adults. For 50+, the first-dose rate is 93% and the second-dose rate 92%; for 70+, the rates come in at 94% and 92%, respectively.
But the younger age group is lagging when it comes to booster doses, with just 57% of the population having received their third shot – compared to 74% for 50+ and 82% for 70+.
New Westminster's overall third-dose rate for adults (18+) is 65%, ahead of B.C.'s 60%.
This week, the province announced the rollout of a fourth shot – a second booster dose for the highest-risk British Columbians, including Indigenous people aged 55+, residents of long-term care, and all adults 70+.
How to get a COVID booster dose in B.C.
Everyone 12 and over who has received their first two doses of vaccine is eligible for a third dose six months after their second. (That interval is reduced to eight weeks for anyone who is pregnant.)
Those who are eligible for the fourth dose (second booster) can get it six months after their third dose (first booster).
You can find all the details, ensure you're registered and book appointments through the B.C. Get Vaccinated website.
What are vaccination rates like in New Westminster?
Here's how vaccination rates look across the board as of April 5 (numbers as of March 29 in brackets):
First dose:
5-11: 68% (67%)
5+: 94% (94%)
12-17: 95% (95%)
18+: 96% (96%)
18-49: 99% (99%)
50+: 93% (93%)
70+: 94% (94%)
Second dose:
5-11: 50% (49%)
5+: 92% (92%)
12-17: 92% (92%)
18+: 94% (94%)
18-49: 97% (97%)
50+: 92% (92%)
70+: 92% (92%)
Third dose:
12-17: 47% (46%)
5+: 60% (60%)
18+: 65% (64%)
18-49: 57% (56%)
50+: 74% (74%)
70+: 81% (81%)
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected].
