low vaccination rates among b.c. first nations a concern
"there are many (first nations) communities where the all-of-community approach has meant that 100 per cent of those in the community have been immunized but there are other communities with significant issues around confidence in the vaccine and some issues around access." — dr. bonnie henry
aug 23 2021
2 minute read
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by: lisa cordasco
the gap between vaccination rates among b.c. first nations compared to the general population is causing concern among health officials and has prompted at least one nation to schedule a series of on-reserve vaccination clinics, aimed at youth.
statistics from the b.c. centre for disease control show as of aug. 15, there was close to a 10 per cent difference between fully vaccinated indigenous people compared to non-indigenous british columbians, with second dose rates of 66.7 per cent and 75.8 per cent respectively.
b.c.’s provincial health officer, dr. bonnie henry said public health is working with the first nations health authority to increase vaccination rates. she said the differences in those rates vary from community to community.
“there are many (first nations) communities where the all-of-community approach has meant that 100 per cent of those in the community have been immunized but there are other communities with significant issues around confidence in the vaccine and some issues around access,” she said.
the first nations health authority, which is responsible for the roll out of vaccines on reserves, is facing challenges of its own.
the fnha’s acting chief medical officer, dr. shannon mcdonald, is currently on leave from her job and the health authority said no one was available to provide comment on the vaccine rate due to “a significant increase in workload this summer supporting wildfire, heat, residential schools, systemic racism and a significant shortage of resources throughout the organization at present.”
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despite the differences in comparative numbers, the general pattern of vaccination rates is similar in both indigenous and non-indigenous populations in b.c. statistics show the highest vaccination rates are among those older than 60 and the lowest are in people between the ages of 12 and 49.
henry said some of the hesitancy among indigenous youth is related to the brand of vaccine available to them.
“some first nations want the whole community to receive the same vaccine. so if the parents received the moderna vaccine, they’re waiting for it to be available and approved for use in the younger members of that community.”
so far, the pfizer vaccine is the only one approved for use in people between the ages of 12 and 17. no vaccines have been approved for those younger than 12.
the cowichan tribes on vancouver island is attempting to increase the vaccination rate among its youth. with a series of on reserve clinics this week, for those aged 12 to 17.
in an online video to its members, the community health nurse for cowichan tribes, fairlie mendoza cited statistics to encourage young people to get vaccinated.
“among unvaccinated youth, one in one hundred will get covid and one in five youth will suffer with what’s called long covid,” she said.
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henry said her message is the same for both indigenous and non-indigenous youth.
“the vaccination rates are high among elders so the message now is for youth in communities that this is important to protect yourself and for elders as well.”
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