Urge young people to get COVID-19 vaccine: Bocking

The Medical Officer of Health for the health unit that serves Northumberland County is calling on families and community organizations to help get young people vaccinated against COVID-19.

Dr. Natalie Bocking says 30% of COVID cases in the past 14 days have been in the age group of 20 to 29.

Bocking, the Medical Officer of Health for Kawartha Haliburton Pine Ridge, reported on Wednesday that the cases are “primarily young adults and there are not many cases in the older adult population.”

“Currently, as of today, we have 21 active cases all of which are situated in the city of Kawartha Lakes. So zero active cases in Haliburton County and zero active cases in Northumberland County.”

She commented on the cases that have been identified in the last 14 days.

“Thirty percent of cases have been in the age group of 20 to 29. Followed by the age groups of 30 to 39 and 40 to 49. Primarily young adults. Not seeing many cases in the older population.”

Bocking added, “To date we have had 37 laboratory confirmations of the Delta variant. We do anticipate we will see more as we continue to receive more results from confirmed cases. We know there is a two to three week lag sometimes in receiving those results and, at this point in time, assume that the majority of cases that we continue to detect will be of the Delta variant.

Of the population that is 12 and over, 76.5% have received one dose of the vaccination and 51.2% have received two doses of vaccine. Among the population that is age 18 and over, almost 78% have received their first dose and 53.9 or 54% essentially have received two doses. And among our population that is aged 60 and over, 86% have had one dose.  We do continue to see a plateau of our first dose coverage.”

The Medical Officer of Health called on families and community organizations to help get this population vaccinated.

Bocking pointed out, “We continue to have lower coverage than we’d like to see in our younger population. So among youth aged 12 to 17, we’re currently at 58% having received their first dose and for young adults aged 18 to 29, currently 60% have received their first dose.”

The Medical Officer of Health called on families and community organizations to help get this population vaccinated.

“Continuing to encourage both youth, young adults, their families, our community organizations that work and support with them, work places, to encourage individuals and support access to vaccinations for these individuals.”

Bocking, the Medical officer of Health for Kawartha Haliburton Pine Ridge Health Unit, says that in the population 60 and over, more than 86% have received one dose of the vaccine.

Upcoming COVIDS-19 Vaccine clinics:

COBOURG
– Cobourg Community Centre – clinics on July 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 (walk-ins are available at this site from 10 am to 4 pm daily)

TRENT HILLS
– Campbellford and District Curling and Racquet Club – clinics set for July 17 and 24 (This clinic does not accept walk-ins; appointments must be booked at www.ontario.ca/bookvaccine