Why Waterloo region's COVID-19 vaccination rate is below the provincial average

About 65 per cent of eligible adults in Ontario have received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the province announced Friday.

But in Waterloo region, the vaccination rate is lower. As of Friday afternoon, the region's vaccine dashboard said just under 60 per cent of eligible adults had received at least one dose of the vaccine.

So what gives? 

"It's just about supply," said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region's medical officer of health, at a media briefing. 

Wang said vaccines have been prioritized for hotspot areas such as Toronto, York Region and Peel Region – and that these areas have vaccination rates above 65 per cent. Because these regions are so populous, Wang said they also bring up the provincial average. 

"The province understands it was the right thing to do, to prioritize doses in those areas first," said Wang. "But now we're in line to get our doses and we will be able to catch up over the next few weeks."

Wang said Waterloo region has been administering the vaccine as quickly as it's come in and that given the supply available locally, "we are on track with where we wanted to be."

When will 18 to 49-year-olds get a dose?

Also on Friday, the province announced it would begin to accelerate the second-dose schedule for some groups, starting with those 80 and older. Officials have also announced kids between 12 and 17 will be prioritized to get a first dose in June and a second in August before school begins.

Meanwhile, some adults in the region have wondered when a first dose is coming for those between 18 and 49, who aren't part of a particular priority group. 

Deputy Shirley Hilton said she understands the concern.

"We know people are sitting in pre-registration for that age group," said Hilton, who is with Waterloo regional police and leads the region's vaccine task force. 

"I know it's difficult to wait, because it just appears [to them] that there's more priorities, more priorities."

Hilton said the region aims to have public health booking dates sent out to that group four to six weeks after pre-registration. She said getting a vaccination at pharmacies and primary care provider offices are also possible alternatives. 

Details about how people aged 80 and up can get their second dose are expected in the coming days, Hilton said.