News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health reported that since Tuesday more than 6,200 appointments were booked for children aged five to 11 to receive their first dose of the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine.

Tuesday was the first opportunity parents and guardians had to book an appointment online at vaccination clinics offered through Vitalité and Horizon health networks.

“It is wonderful to see so many appointments booked for the clinics, which are starting across the province on Friday,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “This is an important step forward in reducing the spread of the virus and protecting all New Brunswickers.”

Participating primary care providers and pharmacies will also play a role in immunizing children five to 11. Information on additional vaccination locations will be available in the coming weeks.

Vaccination update

Public Health reported today that 87.6 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 93.5 per cent have received their first dose of a vaccine.

Health-care personnel – including those working in long-term care facilities – and residents of First Nations communities can now book an appointment to receive an mRNA COVID-19 booster dose if six months have passed since their second dose of a vaccine. 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 an mRNA COVID-19 booster dose if six months have passed since their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Fully vaccinated people who have received one or two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in their series are permitted to book an appointment to receive an mRNA booster dose if 28 days have passed since their second dose.

International travellers with mixed first two doses of vaccine products are eligible to book an appointment to receive a booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. This applies to anyone who must travel outside of North America for work, education or medical procedures. A booster dose of an mRNA vaccine will be available as long as a 28-day interval has passed since their previous 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 mobile and walk-in clinics is available online.

60 recoveries and 87 new cases

Public Health reported today that 60 people have recovered from COVID-19 and there are 87 new cases of the virus, with the number of active cases at 692.

There are 19 people in intensive care and another 26 in hospital for a total of 45 people hospitalized. Of these 45, 11 contracted the virus while hospitalized for other reasons due to the ongoing outbreaks in certain units at the Moncton Hospital.

There is no one under 19 currently hospitalized.

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

• six people 19 and under;

• two people 20-29;

• four people 30-39;

• two people 40-49;

• a person 50-59;

• two people 60-69; and

• two people 70-79.

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

The 29 new cases in Zone 2 (Saint John region) are as follows:

• 10 people 19 and under;

• five people 20-29;

• two people 30-39;

• four people 40-49;

• two people 50-59;

• five people 60-69; and

• a person 80-89.

Twenty-two cases are under investigation and seven are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

The 20 new cases in Zone 3 (Fredericton region) are as follows:

• six people 19 and under;

• a person 20-29;

• three people 30-39;

• three people 40-49;

• four people 50-59;

• a person 60-69; and

• two people 70-79.

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

The two new cases in Zone 6 (Bathurst region) are as follows:

• a person 20-29; and

• a person 50-59.

One case is a contact of a previously confirmed case and the other case is under investigation.

The 17 new cases in Zone 7 (Miramichi region) are as follows:

• four people 19 and under;

• three people 20-29;

• a person 30-39;

• five people 40-49;

• a person 50-59; and

• three people 60-69.

Nine cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and eight cases are under investigation.

Additional information is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

Confirmed cases in schools and child-care facilities

Information on cases in schools is available on the Healthy and Safe Schools website and the COVID-19 dashboard.

A case has been confirmed at New Maryland Kidz Klub in Zone 3 (Fredericton region). If you or a family member have been in close contact with a case, you will be notified by Public Health or the facility for contact tracing. If you are not notified directly, you have not been identified as a close contact.

Since Sept. 7, 87 early learning and child-care facilities have had confirmed cases of COVID-19.

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.