Just over half a million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the Island Health region, which means that about two-thirds of the population over the age of 18 has had a first dose, says Island Health’s chief medical health officer.
Dr. Richard Stanwick called the milestone, reached Thursday, “an amazing achievement,” adding the health authority is also making significant progress in vaccinating those ages 12 and 17. “Those numbers are rising, as well.”
Island Health has administered about 9,000 doses a day at community clinics over the past week.
“We continue to see many of our clinics fully booked, particularly in our larger centres,” Stanwick said. “But certainly we’re seeing enthusiasm for vaccine in other parts of the Island.”
The highest uptake for the vaccine in Island Heath has been on Pender, Galiano, Saturna and Mayne islands, where a combined 87 per cent of residents have been vaccinated, while Cowichan Valley West has seen the lowest uptake at 57 per cent.
“It’s still early and these numbers are subject to fluctuation,” Stanwick said.
Stanwick said immunization rates are among the factors provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry will consider as the four-step provincial restart program for business and activities rolls out.
He said protection against COVID-19 increases on a daily basis as the number of people vaccinated rises.
“We all have a part to play and every dose administered gets us closer to controlling the spread of the virus,” he said. “Nobody wants to go backwards, particularly as we go into the summer months.”
Immunizations began in December with a single clinic in Victoria before expanding to other sites such as long-term care homes. About 9,000 residents of such facilities, about 11,000 staff and about 1,600 essential visitors are expected to receive second doses in the next few weeks.
Close to 30,000 second doses have been administered in the health region.
About 11,500 people in about 50 First Nations communities have received a first dose, with second-dose clinics underway.
B.C. reported 317 new COVID cases on Friday, including five in the Island Health region.
> Register for vaccination online at gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated, or by phoning 1-833-838-2323.
