Ottawa’s medical officer involved about low covid vaccine uptake

Article content material

Practically half of individuals over 80 in Ottawa haven’t acquired the most recent COVID-19 vaccine, leaving them in danger for extreme outcomes in the event that they turn into contaminated, Ottawa’s medical officer of well being is warning.

Dr. Vera Etches mentioned she is worried about low vaccination uptake of the COVID XBB booster amongst older adults, who’re most susceptible to hospitalization and loss of life from the virus.

Article content material

Article content material

Her warning comes at a time when COVID-19 instances are persevering with to rise in Ottawa heading into the vacation season and wastewater ranges have been rising steadily for the reason that summer time. Hospitalizations are larger than they had been final yr right now and folks over 80 make up a major proportion of these in hospital with COVID-19.

Over the previous seven days, a mean of 71 individuals a day have been hospitalized in Ottawa due to COVID-19.

At the moment final yr, that quantity was 49. In October of final yr, when instances peaked within the fall, there have been 65 individuals in hospital. Latest numbers haven’t reached the pandemic peak of 134 hospitalizations — in January 2022 — which adopted the arrival of extremely contagious Omicron.

In an interview Wednesday, Etches inspired everybody, however particularly the aged, to get an up to date COVID-19 vaccine and a seasonal flu vaccine.

Presently, 54 per cent of individuals over the age of 80 in Ottawa have acquired an up to date COVID-19 vaccine. That compares to protection charges round 90 per cent for earlier COVID-19 vaccines. General, simply 18 per cent of the inhabitants has acquired the brand new vaccine that targets the XBB.1.5 variant.

Article content material

Throughout earlier COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, Ottawa had among the highest charges of protection within the province, however these numbers have dropped because the pandemic has progressed.

Amongst issues this yr are that some retirement and long-term care properties have struggled to vaccinate aged residents due to crucial staffing shortages or outbreaks, mentioned Etches. Ottawa Public Well being assists some retirement properties with immunization.

Etches mentioned it is very important counter the assumption that COVID-19 is now not a extreme sickness. It’s extra harmful than flu, she mentioned, with the next mortality fee—and older adults are on the highest danger. Folks over the age of 80 have made up the vast majority of COVID-19 deaths in Ottawa for the reason that pandemic started.

Ottawa Public Well being reported 4 further COVID-19 deaths over the previous seven days.

COVID-19 has additionally been linked to severe post-infection issues, together with a heightened danger of coronary heart illness, strokes and lengthy COVID. Vaccination can scale back dangers.

Outbreaks in hospitals, retirement properties and long-term care properties additionally proceed to be excessive in Ottawa. There are at the moment 13 ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks in hospitals within the metropolis and 21 outbreaks in retirement properties, with six outbreaks in long-term care properties.

Article content material

Amid the late-fall surge of COVID-19, although, there may be excellent news. Deaths from COVID-19 might be decrease this yr than final yr, mentioned Etches. In 2021, 232 Ottawa residents died of COVID-19. That quantity jumped sharply to 403 in 2022. Up to now this yr, there have been 158 COVID-19 deaths within the metropolis.

Etches mentioned the vaccination marketing campaign has been sophisticated this yr, partly, as a result of the virus started circulating earlier than the up to date vaccine was out there. Some individuals might have tried to get vaccinated and gave up, whereas others both have had or consider they’ve had a current an infection and don’t qualify for a booster vaccine.

She suggested anybody who has not examined optimistic for COVID-19 to get the up to date vaccine.

She additionally suggested households with family members in retirement or long-term care properties to test on their vaccination standing for COVID-19 in addition to flu and RSV, in the event that they qualify.

“There’s loads of provide of COVID-19 vaccine. At many pharmacies, it’s potential to get a same-day or next-day appointment.”

Regardless of the tip of particular provincial pandemic funding, Ottawa Public Well being isn’t closing down its COVID-19 providers, Etches mentioned. It can accomplish that by way of its base price range.

Article content material

“We’re persevering with to supply COVID-19 vaccines.”

Up to now, two up to date mRNA COVID vaccines, from Pfizer and Moderna, have been out there in Ontario this fall. However a 3rd vaccine concentrating on the XBB variant of COVID-19, from Novavax, has been permitted by Well being Canada and will quickly be out there in Ontario. Not like Pfizer and Moderna, it’s protein-based.

Silvia Taylor, who’s government vice chairman, chief company affairs and advocacy officer for Novavax, mentioned the vaccine might assist increase uptake of vaccines this yr by interesting to individuals who need another choice than mRNA vaccines.

“Vaccination charges have been low, however as individuals see charges of sickness going up going into the vacations, will probably be nice timing to have a second push,” mentioned Taylor.

There was no phrase on when or if the vaccine might be out there in Ontario.

Article content material