On track with vaccinations
Half of P.E.I.’s eligible population will be protected by end of July
P.E.I. is on track to fully vaccinate half of the eligible population against COVID-19 by the end of the month.
During her biweekly briefing on July 20, Dr. Heather Morrison, the province’s chief public health officer, said there are enough mRNA vaccines on hand to make sure it happens.
As of July 17, a total of 180,606 vaccines have been administered.
More than 86 per cent of Islanders aged 12 and up have received one dose while almost 42 per cent of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated.
“P.E.I. has one of the highest rates of first doses in Canada,’’ Morrison said, adding that 84 per cent of Islanders 60 and older are now fully immunized. “It is important that we focus on achieving our 80 per cent target in all age groups.’’
However, P.E.I. remains last among provinces in terms of a fully vaccinated population, an issue Morrison was asked directly about during the briefing.
The chief public health officer said based on the recommendation from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, P.E.I. has stuck to its plan of administering second doses no earlier than eight weeks after the first dose.
There are exceptions to that rule, such as for immunecompromised individuals or those who need it for travel purposes.
“This is to allow maximum protection and the best possible immune response for a longer duration.”
Morrison also talked about the Delta variant which has been spreading in countries
such as the United States, Great Britain and Scotland. It spreads twice as fast as the original COVID-19 strain and is known to affect those who have only had a single dose of vaccine and have less immunity against the virus. It is also predicted that the Delta variant will become the most dominant strain in Canada over the summer and could lead to a fourth wave.
“We know two doses provides the best protection against the Delta variant. National modelling indicates a vaccine uptake will need to be higher than originally thought in order to prevent the spread of the more infectious Delta variant.
“If you’re still undecided about getting vaccinated ... please do it for yourself; do it for your family and friends; do it so our children can return to school safely; do it to keep businesses open and to it to prevent a fourth wave.”
P.E.I. PASSES
Morrison said as of July 20, more than 190,000 people have applied for a P.E.I. pass and that 96 per cent of the applications have been processed.
Of the applications, 48 per cent came from residents inside Atlantic Canada, 31 per cent from P.E.I. residents and 18 per cent from residents outside the region.
There has been no change at any of the points of entry into the province. People will still be screened and need a P.E.I. pass.
MASKS
P.E.I.’s mandatory maskwearing policy was lifted on July 9 for many residents of Prince Edward Island. At her briefing, Morrison said she acknowledges that’s too fast for some people and too slow for others.
“If you are fully vaccinated and in good health you may choose not to wear a mask at an indoor event where physical distancing is maintained,’’ she said. “These are individual
decisions.”
However, Marion Dowling, the province’s chief nursing officer, said masks are still mandatory in all hospitals, health clinics, health centres and long-term care homes.
Dowling said they will remain mandatory until the province is able to fully vaccinate 80 per cent of the eligible population.
“This is to protect staff, visitors and vulnerable patients who are receiving care at these facilities,” Dowling said during the briefing.