Island Health has a vaccination clinic and also a mobile clinic travelling throughout the area. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

jabs

More than 80% of Island Health vaccinated, province eyes new ways to promote vaccinations

Jul 27, 2021 | 4:28 PM

NANAIMO — Island Health has the second highest number of vaccinated people across B.C.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry detailed the current state of vaccination efforts on Tuesday, July 27.

Nearly 82 per cent of Island Health’s population is vaccinated, leaving 141,000 without a COVID-19 vaccine.

Only the Vancouver Coastal health authority has a higher rate of vaccination, with roughly 85 per cent of people receiving a vaccine.

Northern Health has the smallest proportion of vaccinated people.

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Dr. Henry said the current rise in COVID-19 cases indicates the need for vaccinations.

“Less than five per cent of cases of COVID-19 we’re seeing right now are amongst people who are fully vaccinated. 78 per cent of people hospitalized with COVID-19 are completely unvaccinated.”

Efforts to boost vaccination rates include mobile clinics, such as Island Health’s Vax Van which travels across the Island to provide on-the-spot first doses without any appointment needed.

The Vax Van is at Westwood Lake from 2 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27. It visits Port Alberni on the 28th and the Oceanside region on the 29th.

On Wednesday, Aug. 4, clinics across the province will reserve approximately 20,000 doses for walk-in vaccine appointments for both first and second doses. Only those eligible to receive their second dose after waiting an appropriate period of time will receive their second shot.

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