THUNDER BAY – The latest vaccine data shows healthy coverage in the Thunder Bay District, though uptake continues to lag among some age groups.
Fully 83.8 per cent of the population 12 and over had received at least a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as of Sept. 18, according to data released by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit on Tuesday.
That's up 2.1 per cent over the month of September so far, rising from 81.7 per cent as of Aug. 28.
Meanwhile, 76.2 per cent of the district's eligible population, or 120,608 people, were fully immunized with at least two doses.
Those aged 70 to 79 continued to have the highest coverage rates, with 91.9 per cent having at least a first shot, and 89.4 per cent fully vaccinated.
The 30 to 39 demographic remained the least vaccinated of those eligible, with 74.3 per cent having at least a first dose, and only 64.8 per cent fully vaccinated.
The first dose number for that age group has moved slightly since the province’s announcement of a vaccine certificate system, increasing by 3.2 per cent since Aug. 28.
Uptake among those 40 to 49 also lagged, with 77.6 per cent having at least a first shot, and 70.7 per cent fully vaccinated.
The TBDHU has the second-highest vaccination rate of any health unit in the province, after Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District, according to Ontario's most recent data.
Provincial figures show higher vaccination rates for the district: 89.9 per cent of those 12 and up with at least a first dose, and 83 per cent fully vaccinated.
The difference is due to a difference in population estimates used by the province and the local health unit.
The TBDHU believes data from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Services, which suggests higher population numbers, is more accurate than the province’s numbers, which come from the Ministry of Finance.
The health unit’s vaccination data is available at its website.
