First-dose vaccination rates in New Westminster have now reached 90% for all age groups – but the 90% benchmark remains elusive when it comes to double doses.
The city is continuing to show incremental growth in vaccination rates, with 88% of the eligible population (aged 12+) having received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine as of Oct. 26. That's up from 87% last week, according to B.C. Centre for Disease Control data.
Individual age groups have made small gains over the past week, with the 12-to-17 group now at 83% fully vaccinated (up from 82% last week) and the 18-to-49 group now at 88% (up from 87%). The 50+ age group remains at 88%, where it has stayed for a few weeks running.
First-dose rates have also made small gains over last week – which indicates that some people who hadn't previously chosen to be vaccinated are now doing so. The overall first-dose vaccination rate for the city's 12+ population is now 93%, up from 92% last week. The 12-to-17 group has finally cracked the 90% barrier, inching up from 89% to 90%, while the 18-to-49 group has climbed from 93% to 94%. The 50-plus group remains at 91%.
This past week, B.C. revealed its plans to offer a third dose in the form of a booster shot for all British Columbians, which will be made available six to eight months after the second dose. Exact timing will depend on recipients' age and risk levels.
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