Better vaccine outreach to younger Canadians needed as first doses slow, says Tam

OTTAWA — Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says she is concerned that vaccination rates among younger Canadians aren't high enough.

The number of people lining up for their first dose plummeted from almost 250,000 a day in the first week of June, to less than 50,000 in the first week of July.

As of the end of June, more than 4.7 million Canadians between 12 and 39 years old had yet to get their first shot, about one-third of that entire population.

Comparatively, less than one-quarter of people between 40 and 60 years old remained unvaccinated, and less than one in 10 people over 60.

While younger age groups had to wait slightly longer to access their first dose, all provinces opened bookings to everyone as young as 12 by the end of May.

Tam says she doesn't blame young people and thinks there should be more efforts to reach them to ensure they understand the benefits and can easily access an appointment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9, 2021.

The Canadian Press