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COVID-19: 88% of New Westminster residents are now fully vaccinated

First-dose vaccination rates in New Westminster have now reached 90% for all age groups – but the 90% benchmark remains elusive when it comes to double doses.
Youth vaccination
Vaccination rates among young people in New Westminster are continuing to inch upwards. As of Oct. 26, 83% of people aged 12 to 17, and 88% of people aged 18 to 49, are now fully vaccinated.

First-dose vaccination rates in New Westminster have now reached 90% for all age groups – but the 90% benchmark remains elusive when it comes to double doses.

The city is continuing to show incremental growth in vaccination rates, with 88% of the eligible population (aged 12+) having received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine as of Oct. 26. That's up from 87% last week, according to B.C. Centre for Disease Control data.

Individual age groups have made small gains over the past week, with the 12-to-17 group now at 83% fully vaccinated (up from 82% last week) and the 18-to-49 group now at 88% (up from 87%). The 50+ age group remains at 88%, where it has stayed for a few weeks running.

First-dose rates have also made small gains over last week – which indicates that some people who hadn't previously chosen to be vaccinated are now doing so. The overall first-dose vaccination rate for the city's 12+ population is now 93%, up from 92% last week. The 12-to-17 group has finally cracked the 90% barrier, inching up from 89% to 90%, while the 18-to-49 group has climbed from 93% to 94%. The 50-plus group remains at 91%.

This past week, B.C. revealed its plans to offer a third dose in the form of a booster shot for all British Columbians, which will be made available six to eight months after the second dose. Exact timing will depend on recipients' age and risk levels.

Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, jmaclellan@newwestrecord.ca.