More than 141K people still unvaccinated in Island Health region: health officials
As B.C. continues to expand its COVID-19 vaccination efforts, the province has released some stats on vaccination rates for each health authority.
As of Monday, 80.6 per cent of British Columbians aged 12 and older have received their first dose of vaccine, while 61.3 per cent have received both doses.
In the Island Health region specifically, approximately 81.9 per cent of residents have received at least one dose as of July 23.
According to B.C. health officials, a remaining 18.1 per cent of Island Health residents have not received either dose of vaccine as of Friday, or approximately 141,169 people.
That being said, the Island Health region has the second-highest vaccination rate across B.C.
The Northern Health region has the highest rate of unvaccinated residents, at 32.5 per cent, followed by Interior Health at 26.2 per cent.
The Fraser Health region has a slightly higher unvaccinated rate compared to Island Health at 18.4 per cent, while the Vancouver Coastal Health region has the lowest rate of unvaccinated residents at 14.8 per cent, according to the province.
(Province of B.C.)
(Province of B.C.)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says there's a range of reasons why someone may not have received their vaccine yet.
She said some people may still have questions about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, and that others may have difficulty finding time to get an appointment. She added that a small amount of people are unable to receive one due to medical reasons.
B.C.'s top doctor reiterated that the vaccines are safe while speaking at a news conference Tuesday, and she encouraged all British Columbians to speak with friends or family about receiving the vaccine if they have not yet.
VACCINE RATES PER ISLAND HEALTH COMMUNITY
In the Island Health region, the Saanich Peninsula leads the pack for vaccination rates. According to the B.C. Center for Disease Control, 89 per cent of eligible residents in the Saanich Peninsula have received at least one dose of vaccine as of July 20.
Greater Victoria is a close second, with 87 per cent of eligible residents vaccinated with at least one dose.
The Cowichan Valley West region has the lowest uptake of vaccines relative to other island communities at 70 per cent, according to the BCCDC.
The percent of eligible people who have received at least one dose of vaccine per Island Health community as of July 20 can be found below:
- Saanich Peninsula | 89 per cent
- Greater Victoria | 87 per cent
- Western Communities | 81 per cent
- Southern Gulf Islands | 80 per cent
- Oceanside | 80 per cent
- Cowichan Valley North | 80 per cent
- Greater Nanaimo | 79 per cent
- Comox Valley | 78 per cent
- Greater Campbell River | 77 per cent
- Vancouver Island West | 76 per cent
- Vancouver Island North | 76 per cent
- Cowichan Valley South | 76 per cent
- Alberni/Clayoquot | 76 per cent
- Cowichan Valley West | 70 per cent
On Tuesday, health officials announced its "Vax for BC" campaign, which aims to vaccinate as many British Columbians as possible by offering more walk-in vaccination options, and by setting up mobile or pop-up vaccine options.
"We know the vast majority will get vaccinated," said Dr. Penny Ballem, the head of B.C.'s vaccine roll out team. However, she acknowledged that "you have to make it convenient" to encourage uptake.
She added that receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is "what's needed to turn our backs on the pandemic."
"The impact is so significant," she said. "It impacts our families, it impacts our schools, and it allows us to get back to normal," she said Tuesday.
Health officials also noted Tuesday that only five per cent of recent COVID-19 cases were found in people who were fully vaccinated from the disease.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.