Fewer people in the North are rolling up their sleeves to get the COVID-19 and flu vaccines than any other part of the province.
The Northern Health Health Authority has the lowest vaccination rate per capita.
Across B.C., 25.6 per cent of the population has been vaccinated this season. However, in the Northern Health region, only 17 per cent. Vancouver Coastal was the highest with 29.2 per cent.
Within communities in the Northern Health region, Haida Gwaii had the highest percentage of vaccinated people at 22.2 per cent. Peace River North had the lowest with 8.8 per cent. Smithers is sitting near the middle with 17.3 per cent.
Nevertheless, during the last week of 2023, less than one percent of all primary care visits in the Northern Health region were for COVID-related symptoms, the lowest in the province.
Local numbers were not provided.
“We don’t normally release information on a hospital or community level, for patient privacy reasons,” a spokesperson for the health authority said.
Provincially, the BC CDC said the proportion of community visits for COVID-19 related symptoms has been relatively stable over the last six epi-weeks, following a decrease from mid-October.
However, the proportion of community visits for acute respiratory infection-related symptoms, pneumonia- and influenza-related symptoms remains elevated, particularly among children between the ages of 0-9.
Across the province, more than six per cent of all primary care visits were for respiratory symptoms. Northern Health was on par with those numbers.
Dr. Rakel Kling, Northern Health medical health officer for the Northern Interior said flu season is not over yet.
“We are in the thick of it, data is showing rates are declining a bit, but they are getting a bit back up there again,” she said. “It is important to remain vigilant. There are still lots of respiratory bugs and influenza out there now.”
Kling said it has been a difficult flu and respiratory illness season but at this point, it is unknown how it will compare to others.
She said the most important way to protect against the flu and COVID is to get vaccinated.
“It is not too late in the season, we absolutely still recommend it,” she added. “Other things you can do is wash your hands frequently, staying home when sick, coughing into your elbow or sleeve and trying your best not to share germs.”
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