Local public health officials are reminding the public that staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of severe illness, as well as reduce the risk of spreading illness to others.
They say preventing spread of illness is particularly important to protect those who are at greater risk such as the elderly, and young children.
As of January 3, 84% of the population age five and older, in our area, have completed the primary COVID-19 vaccination series.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ethan Toumishey says,“I encourage all residents to keep up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, in order to protect the vulnerable residents in our community and limit the impact of COVID-19 infections on our local healthcare resources.”
Staying up to date:
- for those six months to four years of age, means having a completed primary series;
- for those five years and older, means completion of the primary series and receipt of a booster dose (monovalent or bivalent) three to six months after their last dose or following a COVID-19 infection.
As of Tuesday, Januarty 3, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) has updated and modified the information reported on the COVID-19 Cases and Vaccine Information Dashboard to provide updated indicators which reflect how well residents of Hastings and Prince Edward Counties are keeping up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.
Going forward, HPEPH reporting of COVID-19 vaccination will focus on the percentage of residents who have completed a primary series, and the percentage of residents who have received a dose in the last six months. These statistics will be reported by age groups, in the total population, and in the population aged five and older.
As of Jan. 3, 2023, COVID-19 vaccination rates for HPEC residents are as follows:
- 84% of population age five and older have completed the primary series.
- 27% of population age five and older have received a dose in the last 6 months.
- 3% of population under age five have completed the primary series.
Medical Officer of Health and CEO at HPEPH, Dr. Ethan Toumishey, says, “I encourage all residents to keep up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, in order to protect the vulnerable residents in our community and limit the impact of COVID-19 infections on our local healthcare resources.
You can check your eligibility for a COVID-19 booster at https://www.ontario.ca/vaccine-eligibility/.
