Half of New Westminster's younger adult population now has a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and rates among teenagers are climbing fast.
As of Feb. 15, 50% of 18-to-49-year-olds in New West had received their booster dose, according to the latest data from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control. That's up from 45% last week.
Booster doses for the 12-to-17 age group have also started to roll out, and New West is now at 25% – a big jump from 9% last week, and higher than the provincewide rate of 18%.
The overall rate for New West adults (18+) is now at 60%, up from 54% last week and ahead of the B.C. rate of 55.5%.
The third-dose vaccination rate has stabilized for older adults, as this week's rate – 80% – is the same as last. Among adults aged 50+, this week's third-dose rate is 71%, just a smidgen up from 70% last week.
For first and second doses, New Westminster's vaccination rates have plateaued 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, 98% now have a first dose of vaccine, while 96% have two doses.
The least vaccinated age group is the five-to-11-year-old population, who became eligible for first doses on Nov. 29. So far, 66% of that age group have received a first dose. Second doses for that age group began Jan. 24; so far, 22% of New Westminster children have received their second shot – a significant jump over 10% last week.
Here's how to get your COVID-19 vaccination
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.
What are vaccination rates like in New Westminster?
Here's how vaccination rates look across the board (last week's numbers in brackets):
First dose:
5-11: 66% (65%)
5+: 94% (no data available from last week)
12-17: 95% (94%)
18+: 96% (96%)
18-49: 98% (98%)
50+: 93% (93%)
70+: 94% (94%)
Second dose:
5-11: 22% (10%)* second doses for this age group started on Nov. 24
5+: 89%
12-17: 91% (91%)
18+: 94% (94%)
18-49: 96% (96%)
50+: 91% (91%)
70+: 92% (92%)
Third dose:
12-17: 25% (9%)
5+: 54%
18+: 60% (54%)
18-49: 50% (45%)
50+: 71% (70%)
70+: 80% (80%)
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected].
