York Region is administering fewer COVID-19 second booster vaccinations compared to the first round, despite eligibility expanding July 14.
In the first week that second boosters doses were available to all adults in the province, the region administered 12,725 second booster doses July 14 to 20. In comparison, it administered 69,259 first boosters in the first seven days of eligibility after it expanded to all adults Dec. 20, 2021 from Dec. 20 to 28, with local clinics closed two days for Christmas and Boxing Day.
York Region medical officer of health Dr. Barry Pakes said emergency rooms are overwhelmed and vaccination is vital to reducing the spread. There are 54 COVID-19 hospitalizations in the region as of July 22.
"Please walk in to make an appointment at any York Region Public Health vaccine clinic as soon as possible," he said in a July 25 video update. "Anyone above the age of 12 needs three doses to be protected and to reduce the overall prevalence of the disease, and reduce the impact on vulnerable people and the health-care system."
COVID-19 vaccination demand and coverage have declined as time has gone on. While 91.9 per cent of York Region residents 12 and older have at least one dose, and 89.5 per cent have at least two, that figure drops to 58.6 per cent with a third dose.
That does mean fewer adults are now eligible to get the fourth dose, with a five-month interval required from a third dose. Approximately 460,000 aged 18 and older residents are currently eligible for a fourth dose in York Region, according to York Region director of corporate communications Patrick Casey. Approximately 108,000 York adults have gotten their fourth dose already.
Public health is still focused on getting more third doses to people, Pakes said. He added that you can pass on a fourth dose if it is less than five months since your third dose or if you've had COVID-19 in the last three months.
However, he said there is a new vaccine expected in the fall that will be more effective against the COVID-19 Omicron variants.
“There is some urgency to getting a fourth dose, not only to protect yourself during this seventh wave,” Pakes said. “There will be a three-month interval between the (fall) bivalent vaccine and your fourth dose, so if you get your fourth dose now, it will likely put you in a good position to get the bivalent vaccine when it’s available.”
York Region is running fewer clinics compared to the first round of booster doses, when it opened several in the wake of another wave of the pandemic during the holiday season. The region is operating five clinics, including one in Newmarket at 17150 Yonge St.
Casey said there are no capacity issues at present.
“York Region Public Health has the capacity to administer vaccines to all eligible individuals who want one, whether through pharmacies, primary care clinics, or our public health clinics,” Casey said.
In total, approximately 11 per cent of York Region adults have now received their fourth dose. Coverage in older ages is stronger; more than 32 per cent of York Region residents age 60 and over have received a fourth dose.
Approximately 77 per cent of the same age group has had a third dose, Casey said. Meanwhile, only 45 per cent of individuals between 18 and 29 have got a third dose.
Everyone is trying to enjoy their summer, Pakes said, but it is still important to take COVID-19 symptoms seriously and take precautions like masking in enclosed spaces.
“The fall will likely bring with it another surge of COVID-19, as well as other respiratory infections,” he said. “The more we can do to reduce the burden of COVID-19 now, the better the fall will be.”
You can book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment at york.ca/covid19vaccine. Walk-in appointments are also available for vaccinations besides a fourth dose.
