Health Unit concerned as local COVID-19 vaccination rate has 'levelled off'

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is concerned about a significant drop in the number of individuals scheduled to receive their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

"Our local rate is significantly lower than the provincial or national averages," advised Dr. Carol Zimbalatti, Public Health Physician during the last Health Unit media availability. "The proportion of people who are currently immunized leaves significant gaps in coverage for a virus as transmissible as the delta variant."

Andrea McLellan, Director COVID-19 Immunization Strategy noted the local immunization rate (as of late last week) for first doses had levelled off at about 75 per cent.

See related: Health Unit believes 70 per cent first vaccination is not enough to loosen restrictions

"We recognize that not everyone has the same timetable for when they would like to access the vaccine and that there may be barriers preventing people from accessing that vaccine," said McLellan.

North Bay Mayor Al McDonald has echoed the call for citizens to receive their vaccinations.

The Health Unit is drawing from the available data to identify pockets of the community with lower rates that may have challenges receiving vaccinations.

"We are looking at mobile clinics, pop-up clinics, and alternative ways of reaching those individuals who have not been able to access their first dose vaccine," added McLellan.

"Evidence suggests, if a fully vaccinated person does catch COVID-19, there is a reduced risk of transmission to household members," said Zimbalatti.  "And, we know that provincially, only 0.15 per cent of partially vaccinated individuals and 0.02 per cent of fully vaccinated individuals became infected with COVID-19 since the vaccines became available in Ontario."

Zimbalatti noted a recent study from Ontario suggests Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca "are very effective against the four variants of concern — especially after two doses."

See also: Health Unit: Your COVID-19 vaccination helps protect children

"When making the decision to get your COVID-19 vaccine, it is important to remember that getting the vaccine goes beyond just you," observed Zimbalatti. "Individuals 11 and younger are currently not eligible to get their COVID-19 vaccine. When you are fully vaccinated, you are helping to prevent further spread, as well as those 11 and under and others who are not eligible for the vaccine."