How vaccinated against COVID is your neighbourhood?

The COVID-19 vaccination divide is vast from one part of Hamilton to another.

The gap emphasizes the role that social determinants of health play in the vaccination rollout and shows why public health is focused on bringing the shot to vulnerable parts of the city.

As of Feb. 6, the highest-boosted area of Hamilton was 58 per cent in Dundas forward sortation area (FSA) L9H, showed data from Ontario research institute ICES.

The lowest, at 32 per cent with three doses, was in less-affluent L8L, which stretches from Ottawa Street North to just west of James Street North and from King Street East to the waterfront.

It's significant because increasing vaccination is considered key to holding Omicron at bay and protecting the health-care system as Ontario reopens.

Immunization is particularly important as Omicron subvariant BA.2 is expected to become the dominant strain in Ontario by mid-March. Known as Stealth Omicron," it is about 30 per cent more transmissible than the current dominant subvariant BA.1.

Two COVID shots doesn't stop the spread of Omicron but it does protect against serious illness.

Three doses is best providing roughly 60 per cent protection against infection. It's also better at guarding against severe outcomes, with 90 per cent effectiveness compared to 80 per cent for two doses.

Find your neighbourhood's coverage in the Spectator's FSA vaccination map.

Joanna Frketich is a health reporter at The Spectator. jfrketich@thespec.com