New Brunswick Vaccination Rates

As of August 2021, 75% of New Brunswickers aged 12 or older were fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This figure represents a significant milestone in the province's vaccination efforts, with Health Minister Dorothy Shephard expressing pride in reaching the target. The vaccination rate has played a crucial role in reducing hospitalizations and protecting the health and safety of the community. However, it's important to note that vaccine effectiveness wanes over time, especially in older adults who were among the first to be vaccinated. As a result, New Brunswick has started administering booster shots to residents in nursing homes and other communal settings.

75% of eligible New Brunswickers were fully vaccinated as of August 2021

As of August 2021, 75% of eligible New Brunswickers were fully vaccinated. This was a significant milestone in the province's COVID-19 vaccination program, with Health Minister Dorothy Shephard expressing her pride in reaching the target. The original target date was August 2, and over 6,000 doses were administered over the weekend to achieve this goal. This meant that three-quarters of eligible New Brunswickers aged 12 and older had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The vaccination rate in New Brunswick was not only a public health achievement but also a source of encouragement for the community. The high percentage of vaccinations was attributed to the small number of hospitalizations, as recognised by Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province's chief medical officer of health. She noted that since July 1, 90% of the province's cases were among those who were not fully vaccinated.

The 75% target was initially set to trigger the move to the green phase of COVID recovery and the lifting of all Public Health restrictions. However, Premier Blaine Higgs announced that the restrictions would be lifted on July 30, regardless of the vaccination rate. Despite this, the province remained committed to increasing the vaccination rate further.

The achievement of the 75% vaccination target demonstrated the dedication of the New Brunswick community to protecting themselves and each other from COVID-19. It was a testament to the hard work of healthcare workers and the collaboration of the government and citizens alike.

84.4% of the eligible population had received at least one dose of the vaccine

As of August 30, 2021, 84.4% of the eligible population of New Brunswick had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This was an increase from 84.1% previously. This meant that New Brunswick had reached its goal of vaccinating 75% of its eligible population with two doses, with 75% being fully vaccinated.

The high vaccination rate was celebrated by Health Minister Dorothy Shephard, who stated that "New Brunswickers should be proud of this significant accomplishment." The province's chief medical officer, Dr. Jennifer Russell, attributed the small number of hospitalizations to the high percentage of vaccinations. She also noted that since July 1, 90% of the province's cases were in unvaccinated individuals.

The vaccination rate in New Brunswick is a positive development in the fight against COVID-19, and it reflects the commitment of the government and the people to protect their community. The high vaccination coverage also helps to reduce the spread of the virus and prevent severe illness and hospitalizations.

The COVID-19 vaccines have been crucial in the province's response to the pandemic, and the high uptake demonstrates the trust that New Brunswickers have in the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. The vaccines have undergone rigorous testing and are safe and effective at preventing severe illness and death from COVID-19.

90% of hospitalizations were among the unvaccinated

As of August 2021, 90% of hospitalizations in New Brunswick were among the unvaccinated. This is in line with the national trend, where 84.9% of Canadians hospitalized with COVID-19 were unvaccinated.

The province's chief medical officer, Dr. Jennifer Russell, attributed the small number of hospitalizations to the high percentage of vaccinations. Since July 1, 2021, 384 out of 427 cases (90%) were not fully vaccinated.

The COVID-19 vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Researchers found that fully vaccinated people were 69% less likely to be hospitalized and 49% less likely to die from COVID-19 than those who were unvaccinated.

Despite the high vaccination rate in Canada, with over 50% of Canadians fully vaccinated and almost 70% having received at least one dose, hospitalizations and deaths continue to occur, albeit at a decreasing rate.

The vaccines have been shown to be highly effective in preventing hospitalization, even with the emergence of new variants like the Delta variant. However, vaccine effectiveness against new infections has declined, coinciding with the increased prevalence of the Delta variant and the easing of societal public health restrictions.

To further curb the spread of COVID-19 and reduce hospitalizations, a multipronged approach is necessary, including vaccination and other prevention strategies such as masking and physical distancing.

20% of COVID-19 deaths were among the fully vaccinated

As of August 2021, 75% of New Brunswickers aged 12 or older were fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This was an encouraging milestone, as becoming fully vaccinated is the best means of preventing a COVID-19 infection. However, it's important to note that vaccine effectiveness decreases over time, especially in older adults who were likely vaccinated first and have had more time for antibody levels to decline.

In New Brunswick, 20% of COVID-19 deaths were among those who were fully vaccinated. This is likely due to waning vaccine effectiveness, as research shows that the protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines wanes after six or seven months, especially in older adults. This is why booster shots are recommended, to provide an extra layer of protection.

While the majority of those who died from COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated were likely older adults with underlying health issues, it's important to recognize that vaccines are not 100% effective. However, they do significantly reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization. During the Delta wave, about 90% of hospitalizations were among those who were not fully vaccinated.

To summarize, while it's true that a small proportion of fully vaccinated individuals may still succumb to COVID-19, the risk is significantly lower than for those who are unvaccinated. The data underscores the importance of staying up to date with vaccinations, including booster shots, to maximize protection against severe illness and death.

The province's goal was to have 75% of New Brunswickers aged 12 or older fully vaccinated

The province of New Brunswick set a goal of having 75% of New Brunswickers aged 12 or older fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This target was reached on August 30, 2021, with the administration of more than 6,000 vaccine doses over the weekend. The original target date was August 2.

The vaccination milestone was hailed as a significant accomplishment by Health Minister Dorothy Shephard, who encouraged all eligible residents to get vaccinated as it is the best means of preventing a COVID-19 infection. Shephard also attributed the small number of hospitalizations in the province to the high percentage of vaccinations.

The 75% target was initially set to trigger the move to the green phase of COVID recovery and the lifting of all Public Health restrictions, such as mandatory masks and limits on gatherings. However, on July 23, Premier Blaine Higgs announced that these restrictions would be lifted on July 30, regardless of the vaccination rate. This decision may have reduced the incentive for people to get vaccinated, as acknowledged by Higgs.

Despite reaching the target, the province was committed to increasing the vaccination rate even higher, especially in the 12-17 and 18-30 age groups. The approval of the Moderna vaccine for youth aged 12 to 17 was expected to help fully vaccinate this age group.

While the high vaccination rate was a positive development, concerns remained about the effectiveness of the vaccines over time. An immunology professor, Rodney Russell, noted that vaccine effectiveness begins to wane after six or seven months, especially in older populations who were vaccinated first. He emphasized the importance of booster shots, particularly for those over 65, to maintain protection against COVID-19.

Frequently asked questions