York Region Public Health is asking more residents to get booster COVID-19 vaccine doses as the province lifts some restrictions today.
Medical officer of health Dr. Barry Pakes said in a Jan. 31 video update that we must enter this new stage “with eyes wide open.” He said with hospital admissions still high, you need to continue following public health measures like wearing a mask and isolating yourself if you have symptoms, even as gatherings increase.
He said vaccination remains vital, with Ontario data confirming a booster dose is 95 per cent effective at preventing hospital admissions. He said internal modelling indicates the booster dose campaign has prevented approximately 500 hospital admissions and more than 200 deaths in York Region.
“If you thought that perhaps you don’t need a booster, you do,” he said. “Booster doses for each and every one of us is critical.”
Approximately 42.5 per cent of York Region residents have a booster dose as of Jan. 27, though that includes youth and children not yet eligible for them. Meanwhile, 58.4 per cent of children aged five to 11 have received the first dose of the vaccine.
Getting your booster dose is getting easier as the region has announced walk-ins are now available for booster appointments at its clinics.
“That is a big change to make it more convenient for you,” Pakes said. “For anyone who wants COVID to be over, I can’t express the urgency enough to get your booster dose.”
Meanwhile, Pakes said the National Advisory Committee on Immunization has recommended that youth aged 12 to 17 can get a booster dose, but only if they live in a high-risk setting, are immunocompromised, or are part of a marginalized community. He said although those boosters are not yet widely allowed for youth, the health unit would share information as it comes.
Regardless, Pakes said COVID-19 appears to be on the decline locally based on wastewater data.
“I am now optimistic for the waning of this surge that we are all hoping for.”
Pakes said the reopening is good news for businesses and our collective mental health and economic well-being.
“Let’s do our best, as a community, to stay safe, be healthy, and get vaccinated.”
You can still book a vaccine or get clinic information at york.ca/covid19vaccine.
