How many people in the Howe Sound region are vaccinated against COVID-19?

Most adults are immunized against the coronavirus, but a large chunk of us didn't get a booster shot. 

As of June 12  — the most recent stats available — 57% of adults over 18 years old have gotten their third — or booster — COVID-19 vaccination. 

This region has one of the lower adult booster rates within the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. 

Only the Bella Coola Valley has a lower uptick in boosters at 45%, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control COVID-19 Regional Surveillance Dashboard. 

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is the health authority that covers Vancouver, Richmond, the North Shore and Coast Garibaldi — Sea-to-Sky Highway, Sunshine Coast, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, the Central Coast and the surrounding areas. 

Howe Sound is an area covered by VCH that encompasses Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton. 

In the Howe Sound Region, 97% of adults have had their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Of children five years old to 11, 48% have had a second pediatric dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 63% have had a first dose. 

Children have not (typically) been offered a third or booster dose. 

Among Howe Sound teens, 12 to 17 years old, 96% have had a first dose and 92% have had a second dose. 36% of teens have had a third booster dose. 

In the June 15 published BC Centre for Disease Control report, it is noted the main recent circulating variant of COVID-19 is still Omicron. 

In its COVID-19 Situation Report for week 22, which covered May 29 to June 4, the Vancouver Coastal Health region saw the incidence of positive COVID-19 tests decrease from 21 to 16 per 100,000 people. 

It should be noted, though, that as most people who test positive at home are not captured in government data, current case counts are an underestimate of the true number of cases in B.C.

For those still seeking a vaccine, an all-ages immunization clinic is scheduled for Squamish's Sea To Sky Hotel on June 29. 

Appointments are required at all clinics to receive booster doses and for children ages 5 to 11.

Go to the Vancouver Coastal Health website for more information or to register.