Middle-aged residents in town have lowest vaccination rate
Of the total New Canaan population, 78.8 percent have had at least one dose and 71.3 percent are fully vaccinated.
NEW CANAAN — Though 100 percent of most age groups who are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines have received at least one dose in town, 87.6 percent of eligible residents ages 45 to 64 have achieved the same milestone, according to the Department of Health.
When asked why the middle-age group is lagging behind the others, the health department head was candid. “I have no idea and wish I knew. The rest of my age groups are outstanding,” Director of Public Health Jenn Eielson said Friday.
The only other group that sits at less than 100 percent are those residents ages 12 to 17, with 94.4 percent, according to the Department of Health’s most recent data of Sept. 2.
There have been nine COVID-19 positive cases so far this week for residents living in New Canaan, the same as last week, according to First Selectman Kevin Moynihan during his weekly call on Thursday.
Five of the nine cases are unvaccinated residents, which includes three children under the age of 12 who are ineligible for the vaccine. Results do not include students currently away at college.
“The main sources of the new positive cases are family transmission and gatherings of various sizes,” Moynihan said. “We remind families to isolate positive family members to the extent possible from younger unvaccinated family members to try to reduce family transmission.”
To date, the town has had 38 breakthrough, or positive cases of fully vaccinated residents, out of 14,475 fully vaccinated residents, or 0.2 percent. Those who have become positive due to breakthrough cases continue to be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, according to Moynihan.
Of the total New Canaan population, 78.8 percent have had at least one dose and 71.3 percent are fully vaccinated.
Moynihan asks residents who have a family member who has COVID-19 to quarantine all unvaccinated family members, including children under the age of 12, for 10 days. Vaccinated household member without symptoms do not need to quarantine.
Guidelines from CT Department of Health regarding booster vaccine doses for the general public are still pending. The local health department is planning to provide community COVID-19 clinics to all residents who wish to participate.
The best estimate for the large booster clinics is around Oct.1, according to the health department.