GNB: More than 2,900 children aged five to 11 vaccinated / vaccination percentages updated

29 November 2021

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health is reporting that 2,991 children aged five to 11 have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

This includes 400 11-year-olds who have received their second vaccine dose. These children had been eligible to receive the regular vaccination earlier this year because they will be 12 before Dec. 31.

More than 11,040 appointments have been booked for children aged five to 11. To meet the demand for pediatric vaccination appointments, additional clinics for children have been added in Zone 1 (Moncton region) and Zone 3 (Fredericton region). Clinics will be added in other areas if warranted.

More than 130 pharmacies will also take part in dispensing doses of the pediatric vaccine. They will begin receiving shipments between Dec. 2 and Dec. 8 and information on booking appointments at pharmacies is available online.

Vaccination update

Public Health reported today that 81.6 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 86.5 per cent have received their first dose.

“We have added children aged five to 11 to our vaccination statistics,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “That is why our percentages are lower. As more children under 12 get vaccinated, we will quickly see our vaccination progress improve and the percentages will increase again.”

Health-care personnel – including those working in long-term care facilities – and residents of First Nations communities can book an appointment to receive an mRNA COVID-19 booster dose if six months have passed since their second dose. They must bring their proof of vaccination, i.e. immunization record, to their appointment.

People 65 and older and school personnel are permitted to book an appointment to receive a booster dose if six months have passed since their second dose.

A detailed list of those eligible for a booster dose is available online.

Appointments for first and second doses, as well as a booster dose for those eligible, can be scheduled for a regional health authority community COVID-19 vaccination clinic through the online booking system or at a participating pharmacy. Residents of First Nations communities can also book an appointment at a community clinic.

A list of upcoming walk-in clinics is available online.

132 recoveries and 46 new cases

Public Health reported today that 132 people have recovered from COVID-19 and there are 46 new cases of the virus, with the number of active cases at 706.

There are 17 people in intensive care and another 47 in hospital for a total of 64 people hospitalized. There is one person under 19 currently hospitalized.

“Though the number of people currently hospitalized is of concern, 23 individuals contracted COVID-19 while already in hospital for another reason,” said Russell. “Steps are being taken to ensure that the virus does not spread further in hospitals in Moncton and Saint John.”

Public Health has confirmed that a person 70-79 in Zone 1 (Moncton region) has died as a result of COVID-19.

The rate of people hospitalized and in ICU, as well as new cases, continues to most greatly impact people who are unvaccinated. Information about the rates of cases and hospitalizations based on vaccination status is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

Regional breakdown of new cases

The 15 new cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) are as follows:

• three people 19 and under;

• three people 20-29;

• a person 30-39;

• three people 40-49;

• a person 50-59;

• a person 60-69; and

• three people 70-79.

Ten cases are under investigation, three cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and two cases are travel related.

The 10 new cases in Zone 2 (Saint John region) are as follows:

• two people 19 and under;

• two people 30-39;

• a person 40-49;

• four people 50-59; and

• a person 60-69.

Seven cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and three cases are under investigation.

The nine new cases in Zone 3 (Fredericton region) are as follows:

• four people 19 and under;

• two people 30-39;

• a person 50-59;

• a person 60-69; and

• a person 80-89.

Seven cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and two cases are under investigation.

The one new case in Zone 5 (Campbellton region) is a person 19 and under. This case is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

The 11 new cases in Zone 7 (Miramichi region) are as follows:

• four people 19 and under;

• a person 20-29;

• three people 30-39;

• a person 40-49; and

• two people 60-69.

Seven cases are under investigation and four are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Additional information is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

Confirmed cases in schools and child-care facilities

Information on cases in schools, early learning centres and child care facilities is available on the Healthy and Safe Schools website and the COVID-19 dashboard.

Isolation reminder

Any household in New Brunswick with a positive case of COVID-19 must isolate for 14 days, regardless of vaccination status.

Household members who are fully vaccinated will be able to leave isolation with a day-five negative PCR test. A day-10 PCR test must still be taken to confirm the negative result.

Those who violate the Public Health order to self-isolate face a fine of between $480 and $20,400.

Potential public exposures

Anyone with two or more symptoms of the virus is urged to request a test online to get an appointment.

If you have been at the site of a possible public exposure, but remain asymptomatic, you may be able to pick up a rapid-screening kit (while supplies last).

A map of potential public exposures can also be found on the COVID-19 dashboard.

Media Contact(s)

Bruce Macfarlane, communications, Department of Health, bruce.macfarlane@gnb.ca.

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