More than 50 per cent of eligible adult residents in York Region have received their first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine, with 530,200 total doses administered to date.
"We need a large percentage of the population to become immune to COVID-19 to really slow the spread of the virus. Achieving high levels of immunity through vaccination is our best approach for allowing individuals, families and businesses to safely resume normal life," said York Region spokesperson Patrick Casey.
With vaccine supplies ramping up across the province, additional groups will become eligible in coming weeks, Casey said.
Today, York Region opened 78,000 additional vaccination appointments at clinics across the region, and expanded eligibility to residents aged 40 and older, group 2 frontline workers and individuals with at risk health conditions.
By the week of May 24, any resident aged 18 and older will be eligible for a vaccine, according to York Region Public Health.
"Planning is underway to ensure second doses are in arms as soon as possible," Casey added.
Here's the tally of vaccinated York Region residents, administered at any location in Ontario:
- 530,200 total doses
- 504,359 residents with 1 dose
- 91.8% ages 80+ with at least 1 dose
- 90.0% ages 75-79 with at least 1 dose
- 83.8% ages 70-74 with at least 1 dose
- 80.6% ages 65-69 with at least 1 dose
- 73.8% ages 60-64 with at least 1 dose
- 62.2% ages 55-59 with at least 1 dose
- 56.9% ages 50-54 with at least 1 dose
- 53.0% ages 45-49 with at least 1 dose
- 50.7% ages 40-44 with at least 1 dose
- 38.7% ages 35-39 with at least 1 dose
Nearly 34 per cent, or 12.7 million Canadians, have received at least one dose, and about 2.7 per cent are fully vaccinated as of May 1, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada's most recent data. In Ontario, 33.6 per cent of the population has received at least one dose, according the federal agency.
Ontario is on track to administer first doses to 65 per cent of adults by the end of May, provincial health officials stated on May 7, saying that about 43 per cent of Ontarians aged 18 and older had received at least one jab.
Eligible residents may book an appointment at one of 10 York Region Public Health and partner-led mass vaccination clinics, including two drive-thru clinics, as well as pharmacies across the region.
With the support of York Region Paramedic Services, many homebound residents, as well as residents of long-term care, retirement home and community living settings, have been vaccinated.
York Region Public Health is also leading a small and targeted workplace strategy offering mobile clinics to select locations in high-risk areas, Casey said.
For information on current eligibility and how to book an appointment, visit york.ca/COVID19Vaccine
"While we head toward a brighter future with 50 per cent of residents vaccinated with their first dose, it’s important all residents, even those who have been vaccinated, continue to follow public health advice — stay home as much as possible, practise physical distancing, wear a mask when required and wash your hands frequently," he said.
