Dr. Jennifer Russell, the chief medical officer of health for New Brunswick, provides an update on vaccinations on July 14, 2021. (Image: CPAC video capture)
New Brunswick Public Health officials say despite more provinces reopening their doors, the province will stay at its current recovery plan until 75 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Health Minister Dorothy Shephard and Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province’s chief medical officer of health, addressed reporters at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
As more jurisdictions loosen restrictions, Russell says there is the chance for the virus to make its way back into New Brunswick.
Russell also addressed a comment from the World Health Organization regarding the interchangeability of vaccines.
“The scientist later explained her concern was that individuals should not decide for themselves which vaccine to take and when they should receive it,” said Russell. “Instead, they should listen to the advice of Public Health officials.”
New Brunswick continues to follow advice from Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), which supports following the AstraZeneca vaccine with an mRNA vaccine such as Pfizer and Moderna.
Russell says while the province has been receiving fewer Pfizer doses than expected, New Brunswick is scheduled to receive 29,250 doses this week. Health officials have been using the Pfizer vaccine for children older than 12 as it’s the only vaccine approved for that age group.
New Brunswick will also get 76,050 doses just in time for the week of July 26.
“We are not anticipating a shortage of this product and we will continue to offer it [as well as] Moderna at our vaccination clinics,” said Russell.
Russell encouraged all eligible residents to receive their second dose of a vaccine. Appointments are available through Regional Health Authority clinics.
“Canada is one of the many places that has safely and effectively administer vaccines interchangeable, along with countries such as the UK, Spain and Germany,” said Russell.
“This strategy has allowed us to quickly vaccinate more people protecting us all from the imminent threat of COVID-19.”
Meanwhile, New Brunswick Public Health reported no new cases of COVID-19 for the ninth day in a row.
Figures from Public Health show 53.5 per cent of eligible residents older than the age of 12 are fully vaccinated against the virus.
The latest numbers also show 79.9 per cent of New Brunswickers have at least one dose of a vaccine.
Shephard says the recent numbers are giving people hope and after a year of challenges, “hope is something that we can all use.”
“Be proud of the hard work that you’ve put in. I know a lot of you are ready to take that next step to get to green,” said Shephard.
“I understand we’re all anxious to return to a sense of normal, but we’ve gotten where we are today by listening to Public Health and that is what we must continue to do.”
The province now has two active cases, but there are no New Brunswickers in the hospital.
Aaron Sousa is a summer intern for Huddle, an Acadia Broadcasting content partner.
The number of eligible New Brunswickers with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is inching ever so close to 80%.
Officials will province an update on the vaccination efforts at 1 p.m. today. pic.twitter.com/zChEpuUqrr
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) July 14, 2021
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