Those living in Bradford with the postal code 'L3Z' have been bumped up the vaccine priority list after being dubbed a 'hot zone' by the province last week.
Over the weekend, Mayor Rob Keffer and members of council sent a letter to the region's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Charles Gardner requesting more vaccine supply and additional testing clinics for Bradford, the region's only 'hot zone'.
Gardner responded with a letter and follow-up call on Monday evening, where he assured Keffer and councillors that the health unit is working to ensure Bradford's community clinic at Bob Fallis arena is receiving an equitable amount of vaccines.
Gardner told council that so far only 9.3 percent of the Bradford population has received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, compared to 15.2 percent of the region overall.
The weekly incidence rate for the overall region for the week of April 4th was 110 cases per 100,000 per week, the highest it has been since the pandemic started. BWG has had the highest rate for the fifth consecutive week, at 300 cases per 100,000 people.
So why is Bradford is lagging behind the rest of the municipalities?
Considering Bradford West Gwillimbury has a young demographic, and with the province prioritizing the elderly population first, many Bradford residents are not yet eligible to receive their shot.
In 2016, the average age in Bradford West Gwillimbury was 37.3. It was listed as one of Simcoe's municipalities with the lowest average age. The older municipalities include Wasaga Beach (50), Tiny (48), Midland (46.4), and Collingwood (46.3).
In his weekly media call on Tuesday, Gardner noted that as much as there is a need for more vaccines, the region's supply has not increased.
"The key point is our vaccine supply has not increased as we go and has remained the same and is projected to remain the same into May," said Gardner. "We won't be able to accelerate how quickly we immunize people."
The SMDHU is hoping to add more vaccination clinics in Bradford, as well as a pop-up clinic at Bradford District High School on Friday, April 16.
"We are using community networks in order to be able to recruit people to be able to come to take advantage of that opportunity," said Gardner.
He noted the pop-up clinic at Bradford High is just the beginning of more to come.
"We are working with that municipality (Bradford) in order to arrange for opportunities for people who live in that area to have access to more immunization," said Gardner. "We are also bringing online some additional opportunities for booking at the clinic that exists in Bradford and also providing some AstraZeneca vaccine to some local primary care providers."
The clinics will be open to those 50+.
"The idea of opening up to essential workers and 18+, we really need their (the province's) direction before we move into a broader application to adults 18 and above or to those in work environments," said Gardner.
There are approximately 1,800 additional vaccinations being added to the rotation this week for Bradford residents over 50 and those in one of the province's listed priority groups. There are also approximately 1,000 AstraZeneca shots available at 10 local pharmacies for those aged 55+.
For more information on vaccines in Bradford click here.
To book an appointment at one of the Bradford clinics here.
