70 per cent of Ottawa adults fully vaccinated

Health-care worker Thi Nguyen administers Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine to a patient at a COVID-19 clinic in Ottawa on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. (Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

OTTAWA -

As Ottawa hits 70 per cent of adults fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the city's associate medical officer of health suggests Ottawa needs to get closer to 90 per cent to protect against the COVID-19 Delta variant.

On Saturday, the city of Ottawa announced 70 per cent of residents 18 and older have received both doses of their COVID-19 vaccine, and are now considered fully vaccinated. As of Friday, 69 per cent of Ottawa residents 12 and older were considered fully vaccinated.

Speaking on Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron on Friday, Dr. Brent Moloughney said Ottawa needs to continue to push the vaccination rates higher to protect against the more transmissible variants.

"What we think now with this Delta variant is we need to be close to 90 per cent, in that ballpark, fully vaccinated. So that means we got to continue to push the existing number of people with first dose," said Moloughney.

"We got a lot of people who have first doses, but they haven't gotten their second dose yet, and you really need it because the single dose does not provide great protection against the Delta variant. You need two doses."

Eighty-three per cent of all eligible Ottawa residents 12 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

To boost vaccination rates, Ottawa Public Health is offering to set up mobile vaccination clinics at workplaces, places of worship and with community organizations in the city.

"Little by little we'll continue to nudge the vaccine coverage rates upwards," said Moloughney.

Ottawa Public Health is encouraging residents with appointments booked from late August to November to move up the date of their first appointment.

The associate medical officer of health told Newstalk 580 CFRA fewer restrictions and summer activities have provided a distraction for some people to get their second COVID-19 vaccine.

"I think also human nature is when they see numbers coming down, with cases, then the drive to get protected is less, and say why do I need to do it now? I'll just put it off," said Moloughney.

"The reality, though, of course, is all those people with one dose are not very well protected against the Delta variant. It's important to take the opportunity (to get the second dose), there's lots of vaccine available."

MUSIC FESTIVAL HOSTS POP-UP CLINIC

On Saturday, Escapade music festival teamed up with Ottawa Public Health to host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Ottawa Baseball Stadium. The goal of the clinic was to encourage young people to get vaccinated before the popular musical festival in September.

"I was planning to anyways, but this just gave me that incentive to get it done earlier," said Ben Kinnie.

Escapade announced this week that only fully vaccinated ticket holders will be allowed to attend the event.

"You'll show us that proof, we are able to put in our system, check off that you have provided it and that will make your wristband accessible," said Ali Shafaee, Director of Escapade.

Ottawa Public Health officials were at the stadium to administer the COVID-19 doses and provide education about why getting vaccinated is important.

"I want to be fully vaccinated," said Emily. "I don't want to get COVID. I want to be protected and get back out in the world."

Kinnie is hopeful other large events will follow Escapade and make proof of vaccination part of the deal to attend.

"I do believe that Escapade is taking the right steps here in doing this."

POP-UP COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINICS 

Dr. Moloughney urges residents to continue to practice COVID-19 safety measures once they're fully vaccinated.

"We still need to be cautious when we're indoors particularly, and wear a mask in public spaces and if we're around people who aren't vaccinated, distancing would be a good idea."

Ottawa Public Health is offering pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics at several locations this week for all residents 12 and older.

Monday, July 26 and Tuesday, July 27 – 12:45 p.m. to 7:30 pm

• Canada Science and Technology Museum – 1867 St. Laurent Blvd.

Tuesday, July 27 – 12:15 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• St Joseph's Adult High School – 330 Lajoie St.

Wednesday, July 28 – 12:15 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Canterbury Recreation Complex – 2185 Arch St.

Thursday, July 29 – 12:15 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Merivale High School – 1755 Merivale Rd.

Friday July 30 – 12:15 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Ahlul-Bayt Islamic School – 3025 Albion Road North

Saturday, July 31 – 9:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Ridgemont High School – 2597 Alta Vista Dr.

Sunday, August 1 – 9:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• AMA Community Centre 1216 – Hunt Club Rd.