(Government of Alberta)

By Chris Brown / CHAT News Today

Telephone Town Hall Oct. 27

Hinshaw says benefit of COVID vaccines is clear

Oct 26, 2021 | 5:52 PM

Each day the province reports COVID-19 statistics is another day that the benefits of vaccines become clear, said the province’s chief medical officer of health on Tuesday.

“For example, in the last three months, people over 80 years old who weren’t vaccinated were 12 times more likely to die from COVID than those who were fully vaccinated,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw.

She said that protection improves among younger groups.

“Unvaccinated 70- to 79-year-olds were 52 times more likely to die from COVID in the last three months than those who were fully vaccinated.”

She again urged people who aren’t to get fully vaccinated to protect themselves and those around them.

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“The science is clear: vaccines work, they are safe and they save lives,” said Hinshaw.

She encouraged anyone with questions or concerns to speak to their doctor or a trusted medical advisor.

She also encouraged people to listen to each other without anger, “the more possible it is to open space for ongoing dialogue and understanding each other’s perspective.

Hinshaw also highlighted the significant increase in vaccinations since the provincial Restrictions Exemption Program (REP) was launched in the middle of September.

“More than 505,000 first doses have been administered in the past six weeks,” she said, reminding that as of yesterday full vaccination is required to access any business, venue or service participating in the REP.

Unvaccinated people can provide a privately-paid negative test from the past 72 hours or valid proof of a medical exemption.

Hinshaw will host a telephone town hall Wednesday to discuss vaccines, fertility and maternal health. It will take place from 6:15-7:45 p.m. Register at alberta.ca/townhall by noon on Wednesday to get the dial-in details.