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COVID-19

Younger adults the most unvaccinated, but that can change: Interior Health

Aug 20, 2021 | 4:29 PM

KAMLOOPS — Interior Health leads the new COVID-19 case counts across the province, which continue to rise — and the majority of the new cases are being found in unvaccinated people, aged 20-to-40.

This age group has a low vaccination rate, which is the major cause of the rise in numbers.

“We’re still seeing a large number of cases and they’re primarily in this 20-to-40 age group,” Dr. Carol Fenton told CFJC News.

Fenton says the vast majority of new COVID-19 cases are being found in people who are unvaccinated or only have one dose.

“This proportion of unvaccinated is roughly 20 per cent of the population so the fact that they are representing a large majority of the cases that we are seeing is a testament to the effectiveness of the vaccine,” Dr. Fenton added.

There is a small group of people who are anti-vaccine but Dr. Fenton says another reason for the low vaccination rates in 20-to-40 year olds is that they were one of the last groups to be eligible. However, there’s another factor at play, and it’s entirely out of their control.

The 20-to-40 year age bracket is the most socially mobile age group, according to Dr. Fenton.

“We’re seeing outbreaks in daycares for example, and it’s coming from the families — from the parents who are not vaccinated,” she explained.

Is there vaccine hesitancy among 20-to-40 year olds? CFJC News hit the streets of downtown Kamloops to find out.

“Most of our friends are all vaccinated, which is also very nice. I think there’s only one couple who wasn’t vaccinated but they’re also expecting too,” said one woman.

“It’s almost 50/50, which is quite unfortunate, but to each their own. But, at least we’re doing our part,” said another.

“I always wanted to get vaccinated — just to be safe. It’s also a little bit more respectful,” said one man, adding that he wanted his co-workers to feel comfortable around him.

“We’re university students, we want to go back to school, so we’re double-vaccinated. We want to go back to normal life, but some people don’t I guess,” said a couple.

Fenton says the only way vaccination numbers will go up is if people start talking to their friends about it.