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
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.