News

Effective this morning, the COVID-19 vaccination coverage rates have been adjusted to account for the expanded eligibility for 5 to 11 year olds. This is in line with the provincial changes to report vaccination coverage for the eligible population five years and older.

Approximately 8,500 children aged 5 to 11 years live in Haldimand and Norfolk counties. As a result of this change, the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit is reporting a vaccination coverage rate of 77.6 per cent for individuals five years or older with at least one dose and 75.0 per cent for individuals five years or older who are fully vaccinated.

The changes to eligibility are being done simultaneously with the Ministry of Health reporting change to increase accuracy of population denominators of approximately 4,000 residents across both counties.

While these reporting changes decrease the apparent vaccine coverage, it is important to note that the local vaccine coverage continues to increase. The eligibility of children 5 to 11 is an important step for striving toward herd immunity in the community.