One area of the Cowichan Valley is gearing up to vaccinate youth aged 12-15 while another has been named as the only local health area on the Island not to have a vaccination rate of at least 60 per cent (as of May 24).
Cowichan Tribes announced on May 25 that beginning June 2, the First Nation will be giving first doses to those aged 12 and up, both on and off the reserve, if they want them.
The clinic will run from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ts’ewulhtun Health Centre on both June 2 and June 3.
Also during that time, second doses will be available to Cowichan households that had their first vaccinations on Feb. 28, March 3 and March 4.
READ ALSO: ‘Just hold tight,’ COVID-19 second vaccine doses coming sooner
No COVID-19 cases have been reported by Cowichan Tribes since April 29. Since Dec. 31, 2020, there have been 278 cases total with 271 recovered. The virus has affected 106 different households. Six members of the band have died.
Meanwhile, B.C. Centre for Disease Control data shows that more than 60 per cent of adults have had a dose of vaccine in all local health areas on the Island except for Cowichan Valley West, which includes the Town of Lake Cowichan, Youbou, Honeymoon Bay, and Mesachie Lake. Even so, in that local health area, 57 of adults have received their first dose.
Lake Cowichan Mayor Bob Day isn’t too concerned.
“I am totally putting that down to the most vaccinated communities have vaccination clinics or were mass vaccinated in that program,” he said. “I would expect that if this trend continues, that Island Health will establish a community clinic out this way,” or utilize the Lake’s pharmacies to vaccinate residents.
In Cowichan Valley South 63 per cent have had their first shot while Cowichan Valley North leads the way with 67 per cent with one dose as of May 24.
The vaccination rates continue to rise.
sarah.simpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
