Push is on by Niagara Health to get teens double-dosed before school starts

Niagara Region teenagers are being told that they can get their second COVID-19 vaccination shot three weeks after their first.

Niagara Public Health is hoping to have far more regional teenagers fully vaccinated by September 7, the first day of school.

While 69 per cent of the region is partially vaccinated and 57.5 per cent have had both shots, teenagers aged 12 to 17 still have to catch up. At this point, only 56 per cent of that age group has had their first vaccine while just 35 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Part of the lag is that municipalities began vaccinating their oldest (and more vulnerable) citizens first. As well, Astra-Zeneca was not recommended for the teenage recipients.

However, Niagara Health is noting that teens will need to get their first dose within the next week to be able to get their second dose by August 24. That would give them the necessary two weeks after dose two to reach maximum immunity before school starts.