THUNDER BAY — Just shy of 75 per cent of Thunder Bay district residents eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination are now fully vaccinated.
New data released Tuesday by the district health unit shows the proportion of individuals 12 years old and over who have received two doses of vaccine now stands at 74.6 per cent.
That's a one per cent increase from the previous week.
TBDHU reported that 82.5 per cent of eligible district residents have received at least one dose of vaccine, up from 81.7 per cent the week before.
Vaccination rates are expected to rise in the wake of last Wednesday's announcement by Premier Doug Ford that Ontario is implementing a vaccine passport system.
Starting Sept. 22, residents will require to show proof that they are fully vaccinated in order to access non-essential businesses such as indoor restaurants, gyms, movie theatres, bingo halls and concert halls.
The second dose must have been administered at least 14 days prior.
Proof of vaccination will not be required for retail shopping, salons and barbershops, banks, places of worship, essential services, workplaces or patios and other outdoor spaces.
The province has split its vaccine passport rollout into two stages.
Beginning on Sept. 22, fully vaccinated residents will need to navigate to the provincial website to retrieve their vaccination receipts.
In the second stage, starting Oct. 22, the province’s QR code and verification app will come into effect.
Users will be required to request a certificate via a planned digital portal or service desk.
A health unit spokesperson said Tuesday that TBDHU is encouraged by the local vaccination rate, and did observe a slight increase in appointment bookings at the end of last week.
Walk-in clinics are available this week for individuals looking to get either their first or second dose. Shots may also be obtained at pharmacies or from primary care providers.
NOTE: This story has been updated to include new information from TBDHU regarding a slight increase in vaccination appointment bookings
