Island Health surpasses 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses
Island Health is celebrating a major milestone in the region's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of Friday, the health authority has administered more than one-million doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Island Health first began immunizations on Dec. 22. In the beginning, the doses were focused on frontline workers, seniors and other vulnerable residents.
Now, some seven months later, nearly half of all eligible island residents are fully vaccinated.
Approximately 78 per cent of people aged 12 and older have received their first dose, while 48 per cent have received both doses, according to Island Health.
"With every dose given, our communities are fortifying our collective resilience against this virus – and based on the rates of transmission and hospitalizations in Island Health, it’s clearly working," said Island Health's Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Richard Stanwick, in a release Friday.
"Without the Herculean efforts of our immunization staff and the many supporting teams, as well as our community partners, we would not have been as successful. This is truly a team effort in every sense of the word," he said.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, older residents lead the pack in terms of vaccination totals. The vast majority of local health-care workers have also received at least one dose of vaccine.
The per cent of people who have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine by age group can be found below:
- 92 per cent of people aged 70 and older
- 84 per cent of people aged 50-69
- 71 per cent of people aged 30-49
- 65 per cent of people aged 12-29
- 92 per cent of physicians and nurse practitioners
- 88 per cent of all Island Health employees
"Our vaccine supply is good and we are determined to get 85 per cent of our population fully vaccinated," said Stanwick.
"Most importantly, let’s ensure our young people are vaccinated before school starts in September and we move back indoors," he said.
Island Health notes that it took steps to offer vaccine to everyone who wanted one in the region.
The health authority set up more than 1,000 outreach clinics in remote areas, care homes, indigenous communities, and for vulnerable people.
Island Health says that it also partnered with local First Nations and the First Nations Health Authority to vaccinate more than 21,000 people across roughly 50 First Nations communities.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.