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
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.