Region reaches vaccine milestone
Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) and local partners have now given over 100,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses in our region. This milestone comes as 78.4% of the area’s adults aged 18 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 64.1% are fully vaccinated with two doses.
This accomplishment could not have happened without the hard work of the health unit staff, partners, and volunteers. “I thank everyone who has played a role in vaccination clinics, and we are grateful for your dedication in protecting our communities,” says Dr. Kit Young Hoon, Medical Officer of Health at NWHU.
“It’s encouraging to see that the large majority of the region’s adults have decided to be vaccinated for COVID-19. The vaccine is our best defense against the virus and variants of concern and helps to protect those who cannot be vaccinated, including those under 12 years of age,” says Dr. Young Hoon. “The vaccines are effective as more than 83 percent of Ontarians who caught COVID-19 recently had not received either a first or second dose,” Dr. Young Hoon continues.
In addition to reaching this enormous milestone, today marks the first day in many months where there are currently no known active cases in the region. Public health officials attribute this largely to the area’s high vaccination rates, however, note that we need more people vaccinated to keep our case numbers low. “We are not yet at high enough vaccine coverage rates to achieve herd immunity. Our first dose coverage rates are below Ontario’s as a whole. To protect our communities, I strongly urge COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone who is eligible,” Dr. Young Hoon says.
NWHU’s large vaccine clinics are coming to an end, anyone aged 12 or older who has not yet received either their first or second dose should book an appointment or attend a walk-in clinic. For more information on case numbers, vaccine rates, and booking an appointment, visit www.nwhu.on.ca or call 1-866-468-2240.
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Media contact:
Dr. Kit Young Hoon
Medical Officer of Health
Northwestern Health Unit
jbegg@nwhu.on.ca