After months of holding off, Mays Jesse was convinced to get his first COVID-19 vaccine at a York Region pop-up clinic Sept. 14.
The 29-year-old said he initially was reluctant to get a vaccine because he was concerned about possible logistical difficulties and believed he had contracted COVID-19 in early 2020, so had some immunity. But although he said he opposes the restrictions put on people without vaccines, they ultimately helped motivate him to get his first dose.
Jesse said he wanted to be able to visit locations like gyms.
“As much as I don’t like being enforced to do something, it was kind of, I don’t want to continue to not live life,” he said. “I feel like I’ve already missed out on life.”
York Region reached a milestone of 85 per cent of its residents age 12 and older having the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine Sept. 16. After months of slow uptake, the region experienced an initial bump of new vaccinations when the province announced a vaccine verification system starting Sept. 22. The system will require people to provide proof of vaccination to access a wide range of services, including gyms, indoor dining and event spaces.
York Region medical officer of health Dr. Karim Kurji said the numbers of first-dose vaccinations have fallen after an initial bump from the provincial announcement, but they are vaccinating about 5,000 new people per week. He said having vaccinations at many different community locations has also helped increase first doses.
“I am quite optimistic that we will be able to reach the 90 per cent target that we see the (medical officer of health) has stated is necessary for us to get this delta variant under control,” Kurji said. “We have been able to access many other individuals.”
Kurji said most people ending up in the hospital or dying from COVID-19 are unvaccinated, leading to avoidable tragedies. Child cases are also a concern until vaccines are approved for them, with at least six people under 12 in York hospitalized in the past two weeks, though he said they all recovered. Given children cannot get a vaccine, only 74.4 per cent of the total York population is vaccinated.
He said they are trying to assuage the concerns of the vaccination hesitant who are coming into clinics now. He said public health hopes to inform the unvaccinated.
“Let’s hope that those who are unvaccinated seek clarification,” Kurji said. “Hopefully, we can convince them.”
But not everyone has been swayed by the new restrictions, and some people remain defiant.
Even after getting a vaccine and not suffering adverse effects, Jesse said he does not fault those choosing not to.
“I feel like they’re kind of taking away people’s rights,” Jesse said of vaccination policy. “Treating them like second-class citizens.”
Kurji said COVID-19 cases are projecting to rise into the fall but are plateauing right now, which he credits to vaccination rates. He said case increases could be prevented if enough people get vaccinated.
Jesse said peer pressure also played a factor in his decision, with people in the dating world seeking vaccinated partners.
“As much as I doubt the vaccine, I succumbed to peer pressure,” Jesse said. “It will certainly open up options, possibilities to continue on with my day-to-day. That’s my turning point.”
