News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health reported that, since Tuesday, more than 8,300 appointments were booked for children aged five to 11 to receive their first dose of the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine.

“I am glad to see so many parents and guardians booking vaccination appointments for their children,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “It is important that we protect New Brunswickers against this virus, and having as many eligible residents as possible vaccinated is a significant factor in keeping us all safe.”

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 COVID-19 vaccine. They will begin receiving shipments between Dec. 2 and Dec. 8, and information on booking appointments at these locations will be available soon.

Vaccination update

Public Health reported today that 87.7 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 93.5 per cent have received their first dose.

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.

Fully vaccinated people who have received one or two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine 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 an mRNA booster dose. This applies to anyone who must travel outside of North America for work, education or medical procedures. This mRNA booster dose will be available as long as 28 days have 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.

44 recoveries and 95 new cases

Public Health reported today that 44 people have recovered from COVID-19 and there are 95 new cases of the virus, with the number of active cases at 743.

There are 18 people in intensive care and another 36 in hospital for a total of 54 people hospitalized.

There is one person 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.

“We are continuing to see the number of active cases creep up, particularly in southern New Brunswick and Miramichi,” said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard. “We know some of those cases will result in hospitalization, with a greater risk to people who are unvaccinated. Every New Brunswicker has the power to help curb the COVID-19 spread in our province by simply keeping your contact numbers low, wearing a mask, washing your hands and getting vaccinated.”

Regional breakdown of new cases

The 28 new cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) are as follows:

• three people 19 and under;
• seven people 30-39;
• seven people 40-49;
• a person 50-59;
• five people 60-69;
• two people 70-79;
• a person 80-89; and
• two people 90 and over.

Fifteen cases are under investigation and 13 are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

The 25 new cases in Zone 2 (Saint John region) are as follows:

• five people 19 and under;
• two people 20-29;
• seven people 30-39;
• three people 40-49;
• four people 50-59;
• two people 60-69; and
• two people 80-89.

Fourteen cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and 11 are under investigation.

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

• seven people 19 and under;
• four people 20-29;
• three people 30-39;
• four people 40-49;
• a person 50-59; and
• a person 70-79.

Ten cases are under investigation, nine are contacts of previously confirmed cases and one is travel-related.

The one new case in Zone 5 (Campbellton region) is a person 19 and under. This case is under investigation.

The new case in Zone 6 (Bathurst region) is a person 20-29. The case is under investigation.

The 20 new cases in Zone 7 (Miramichi region) are as follows:

• 11 people 19 and under;
• a person 30-39;
• four people 40-49;
• three people 60-69; and
• a person 70-79.

Thirteen cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and seven are under investigation.

“Over 50 per cent of today’s cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases,” said Russell. “We are continuing to see a lot of new cases and I cannot stress enough how important it is for people to follow Public Health advice; stay home when you are not feeling well.”

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 Angels ‘R’ Wee in Zone 2 (Saint John region) and Causerie Amicale Inc. in Zone 1 (Moncton 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, 89 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.