The Northwestern Health Unit has released its weekly vaccine update for the region. As of this week, 71.1 per cent of adults 18 years of age and older have received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Atikokan Health Hub leads the way at 76.3 per cent receiving their first dose, Fort Frances Health Hub at 75.7 per cent, Dryden Health Hub at 75.3 per cent, Kenora Health Hub with 71.9 per cent vaccinated Emo Health Hub at 69.2 per cent, Sioux Lookout Health Hub at 67.2 per cent, Rainy River at 60.8 per cent and rounding out the region Red Lake at 49.7 per cent receiving their first dose.
Regarding age groups receiving their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, 69.9 percent of all age groups have been given at least one dose of the vaccine. Leading the way is the 70-79 age group at 79.0 per cent, 60-69 age group at 76.4 per cent, 80 and older 75.3 percent, 50-59 with 69.6 per cent receiving their first dose, 40-49 at 66.3 per cent, 30-39 at 62.8 per cent and rounding out the age groups 18-29 with 54.3 percent receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Included in this week's update are the numbers and percentages of second doses administered split up by age group and health hub.
As of this week, 34.9 percent of the population across the region have received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
As per Health Hubs, the Sioux Lookout Health Hub leads the way at 41.1 per cent receiving their second dose, Fort Frances Health Hub at 39.8 per cent, Emo Health Hub at 38.7 percent, Kenora Health Hub at 36.9 per cent, Atikokan Health Hub at 36.6 per cent, Dryden Health Hub with 32.1 per cent, Rainy River with 28.3 per cent and rounding out the region Red Lake at 13.7 per cent have received their second dose.
Last the week the NWHU expanded their second dose eligibility to anyone who received their first dose of Moderna or Pfizer on or before May 9, 2021, allowing more people to get a second dose.
People aged 80 years of age and older lead the way with 57.0 percent receiving their second dose, 70-79 with 49.5 per cent, 60-69 at 36.1 per cent,40-49 at 30.4 per cent, 50-59 with 30.1 per cent, 30-39 at 27.8 per cent and rounding out is the age group 18-29 at 21.7 per cent receiving their second dose.
52 percent of males and 48 percent of females have recorded being vaccinated.
Last week the Ontario government announced the acceleration of the second dose of AstraZeneca, allowing people to receive their second dose 8 weeks after their first dose, with informed consent, instead of the previous allowed time of 12 weeks.
Currently, the province is in Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen Plan. The province will be in step one for at least 21 days to evaluate public health and health system indicators. To move beyond this current framework 70 per cent of adults have at least one dose and 20 per cent of adults have at least 2 doses. Once that marker is achieved the province will look to move into Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen Plan.