N.B. reported 1 death, 46 new cases, and 2,991 young kids receive their first dosage

Key takeaways:

• The Department of Public Health announced one new COVID-related death and 46 new COVID-19 cases on Monday.
• 400 of the 2,991 people immunized are 11-year-olds who have also received their second dosage. 

On Monday, the Department of Public Health reported one new COVID-related fatality and 46 new instances of COVID-19, and 2,991 children aged five to eleven had their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.

An individual in their 70s died as a result of COVID-19 in the Moncton region, Zone 1, bringing the pandemic death toll to 124.

The new cases have been reported in five of the province’s seven health zones, with the greatest concentrations in the Moncton, Saint John, and Miramichi districts, all of which have outbreaks in their hospitals.

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After Health Canada approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine in this age group, the province began vaccinating children aged five to eleven on Friday.

400 of the 2,991 people immunized are 11-year-olds who have also received their second dosage. Because they will turn 12 before the end of the year, these children have been eligible to receive the normal vaccine rather than the pediatric dose since late August.

81.6 percent of eligible New Brunswickers are now fully immunized against COVID-19, with 86.5 percent receiving their initial dose.

This is down from 88% and 93.8 percent on Sunday since the province has begun to include young children in its immunization figures.

“As more children under the age of 12 are vaccinated, we will immediately see our vaccination progress improve and the percentages rise again,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, in a statement.

The province’s goal is to double-dose at least 90% of the overall population.

According to the CBC vaccine tracker, 77.6 percent of the whole population has been fully vaccinated, with 82.8 percent receiving one dosage.

Since last Tuesday, more than 11,040 appointments have been scheduled for children aged five to eleven to get their first dosage of the paediatric COVID-19 vaccination.

The vaccine is available to around 54,500 children.

Additional clinics for children are being held in the Moncton region, Zone 1, and the Fredericton region, Zone 3, due to “strong demand” for these appointments, according to Public Health. More clinics will be created in other regions “if appropriate,” according to a news release issued by Public Health on Monday.

Pediatric immunization will also be available at more than 130 pharmacies. From December 2 to December 8, they will begin receiving shipments, and information on arranging appointments at these sites is accessible online.

Source: CBC News

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