Dr. Kit Young Hoon. Supplied by NWHU
The Northwestern Health Unit region has hit another COVID-19 vaccine milestone.
“Over 80 percent of those aged 18 and older in the region now have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kit Young Hoon in a media update Tuesday. “In addition, 67 percent of people aged 12 and older in our area have received two doses of the vaccine.”
70 percent of those aged 18 and older have two doses and 78 percent of those aged aged 12 and older have one dose according to the health unit’s data at time of publishing.
The region’s top doctor is also echoing calls for those who are eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible, with the more transmissible Delta variant showing to be of greater proportion of current COVID-19 cases in Ontario.
“Our case numbers have remained low and I’m pleased to see this trend continue, but caution that we must prepare now for the cooler weather which leads to more time indoors and typically more respiratory illnesses circulating. It’s likely we’ll see an increase in cases in the fall months and the vaccine can help protect you and your loved ones.”
Dr. Young Hoon also points out if students, staff and teachers want to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the start of the new school year, time is running out.
“This week is the last week in which they can get their first dose and therefore be able to fit in their second dose (wait the time between doses) and still be fully vaccinated for when school starts. To be considered fully vaccinated you need to have two doses of the vaccine and it needs to be 14 days after your second dose, so timing is really important.”
Recent data released from Public Health Ontario shows of over 10 million vaccinated individuals only zero point one six (0.16) percent became infected partially vaccinated and only point zero two (0.02) percent infected when fully vaccinated.
The full Public Health Ontario report can be read here, along with a COVID-19 vaccine safety report.
