The BC Centre for Disease Control is reporting slowly increasing number for its Fall 2023 COVID-19 vaccination update campaign, and health officials are concerned.
In Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, as of Nov. 11, there has been just 14.8 per cent of the general population to get the updated shot so far. The campaign began in early October.
“I would like to see that number go up,” said Dr. Cheryl Young, the medical health officer who oversees those cities for Fraser Health.
Compared with other cities it does not stand out as a low number, she allowed. The highest percentage in the Fraser Health Authority as of Nov. 11 was 19 per cent in South Surrey/White Rock. But she said it leaves the elderly and immune compromised more vulnerable, and could see hospitals strained as the flu season progresses.
“We want to protect that population, and protect our health care system’s capacity,” said Young.
The number of people vaccinated drops off quickly under age 50.
In Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, the vaccinated statistics are:
• 39.6 per cent of those aged 80-plus,
• 34.8 per cent of those aged 65-79,
• 20.3 per cent of those aged 50-64,
• 10.5 per cent of those aged 40-49,
• 6.5 per cent of those aged 30-39,
• 3.7 per cent of those aged 18-29,
• 7.8 per cent of those aged 12-17,
• 6.7 per cent of those aged 5-11, and
• 6.6 per cent of those aged four and under.
The statistics record only vaccines administered on Sept. 25 or later.
Across all of Fraser Health the vaccine uptake so far is at 13.9 per cent, and across B.C. it is at 16.5 per cent, as of Nov. 11.
The virus has not been as threatening as in the past. COVID-19 levels hit a peak in early October, when 244 patients were in hospital with the virus, and then started coming down.
The province’s aim was to send invitations to book a vaccination appointment by email or text message to all people registered in the Get Vaccinated system. Vaccines are free and available at pharmacies and health authority clinics.
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Young said it is easy for members of the public to get both their flu and COVID-19 jabs at the same time, and referred them to the Get Vaccinated online system.
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