Unlike the local trend from parts of August and September, the COVID-19 vaccination count in the Sudbury health unit jurisdiction appears to have fallen behind the rest of Ontario. Based on new figures released by Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD) this past week, 85.1 per cent of local residents aged 12 and older have received their first vaccine dose. PHSD also revealed that 80.7 per cent of local residents are fully vaccinated with first and second doses.
By comparison, the provincial vaccine counts are a few points higher — 87.9 per cent for the first dose and 84 per cent for being fully vaccinated.
This is a change from the numbers that were being reported several weeks ago, when it was revealed that Sudbury vaccine percentages had pulled ahead of the provincial statistics.
PHSD also said the percentage numbers have changed in part because of new census figures provided by Statistics Canada.
"To ensure that our estimated rates of vaccination coverage remain as accurate as possible, as of Oct. 14, 2021, the population figures used in these calculations have been updated to reflect counts recently made available from Statistics Canada," said PHSD.
The health unit said the new 2020 census estimates show a slightly higher population than the previous estimate (2016) and as a result "readers may notice a decrease in our estimated coverage rates from those published prior to this date."
In addition to this, PHSD said it has corrected local data to reflect recent updates to the dose tracking process, further decreasing estimated coverage rates compared to those published prior to this date.
The information presented in this update shows all vaccines in Sudbury and Districts as of In actual number terms, according to PHSD stats at 4 p.m. Monday afternoon, 154,786 people have been fully immunized with first and second vaccine doses, and 162,564 people have received their first dose of vaccine. This includes all vaccinations administered by primary care, pharmacies, hospitals, First Nations and other partners.
