New data for COVID-19 vaccination coverage in NWT communities
Publication Date
Public Service Announcement
A change to vaccination data on the COVID-19 Dashboard presents a new picture of vaccination coverage in several small NWT communities.
Six NWT communities now have more than 75 percent of the population older than 18 fully vaccinated, and 15 communities have at least 75 percent of the population partially vaccinated.
It is the overall territorial vaccination rate that will determine when the threshold to ease further restrictions in the NWT has been met. Seventy-one percent of the NWT population older than 18 are now fully vaccinated, and 76 percent are partially vaccinated.
This new data uses addresses that are on file from NWT Electronic Medical Records (EMR) or from the NWT Health Care Plan (HCP) registration as the basis for where the vaccinated resident lives.
The value of ensuring communities are fully aware of all circumstances when making informed decisions about risk is critical. For example, vaccination coverage can help determine whether community residents decide to travel, attend gatherings, or wear a mask as a personal choice.
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread and reduce the impact of COVID-19. Vaccines make your immune system stronger and help to build antibodies to prevent infectious diseases. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get COVID-19. Vaccines, like other public health measures, are most effective when we all do our part.