Chatham-Kent’s Medical Officer of Health says he's disappointed in the number of youth who still haven't received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
According to Dr. David Colby, the municipality is still lagging behind the provincial average in vaccination rates among youth aged 12 to 17 years old.
In Ontario, youth aged 12 to 17, have a 60 per cent first-dose coverage rate and a full vaccination rate of 20 per cent. By comparison, in CK, youth aged 12 to 17 have a 58 per cent first-dose coverage rate and a full vaccination rate of 12 percent.
"I'm disappointed, to be quite frank about it," said Dr. Colby. "I like to see Chatham-Kent leading, rather than play catch up."
Dr. Colby said data is showing a trend in low vaccination rates among youth across many municipalities, but he also noted that youth who already received their first dose are consistently showing up for their second.
"The group that wants to get vaccinated is proceeding along just fine," said Dr. Colby. "We need to motivate everybody else to get vaccinated. We need to make sure we get those people vaccinated."
CK Public Health is hosting a series of walk-in clinics for youth aged 12 to 17 at the Bradley Centre site to help boost the vaccination rate.
"You can walk into the Bradley Centre and get your first dose at any time," said Dr. Colby. "We still are still doing some first doses but not as many as I'd like to see."
Dr. Colby said when Grey Bruce had a surge in COVID-19 cases the demand for a vaccine skyrocketed.
"I would rather see the vaccine applied in a preventative way rather than a remedial capacity," said Dr. Colby. "This is not the time to sit back and relax, it is time to roll up your sleeves and get vaccinated."
