Portsmouth’s vaccination rates lag behind state averages

PORTSMOUTH — Vaccination rates in Portsmouth continue to lag behind state averages, despite ongoing local efforts to provide more access to COVID-19 immunizations.

According to statistics from the R.I. Department of Health (RIDOH), 61.1 percent of Portsmouth residents had been fully vaccinated as of Friday, Aug. 20, compared to the state average of 63.3 percent.

Although the more vulnerable elderly population was the first to be offered vaccinations following health care workers and first responders, there are still a good number of senior citizens in Portsmouth who have not been fully vaccinated.

According to RIDOH, 81.2 percent of Portsmouth residents ages 65 and older are fully vaccinated. Although a direct comparison to the state average is difficult because RIDOH breaks the numbers down differently for state and individual municipalities, older Rhode Islanders as a whole seem to be getting vaccinated at considerably higher rates compared to those in Portsmouth.

Across Rhode Island, 92 percent of people ages 60 to 69 are fully vaccinated, according to RIDOH. For ages 70 to 79, it’s 98 percent. For ages 80 and older, it’s 82 percent.

In neighboring towns such as Tiverton and Little Compton, the vaccination rates among older residents are even lower. In Little Compton, only 66.9 percent of residents 65 and older are fully vaccinated, according to RIDOH. Across all age groups, 54.4 percent of residents are fully vaccinated in that town.

In Tiverton, 68.1 percent of residents 65 and older have been fully vaccinated, compared to 47.1 percent of the town as a whole.

Richard Talipsky, the town’s director of business development and one of the volunteers behind the town-run vaccination clinics, said he’s aware of the numbers. He hopes they can be improved through a new town-wide initiative called P-SAFE, an attempt to “get some community spirit going around vaccinations.”

Portsmouth numbers are similar to the rest of Aquidneck Island, he said, but they still need a boost. It’s difficult to pinpoint why some people aren’t getting the vaccine, he said.

“We’ve gone to people’s houses, we’ve called people; we’ve done everything,” Mr. Talipsky said. “You’re trying to figure out a problem and you don’t know what the problem is.”

Vaccination clinic set for Aug. 27

The town has scheduled first-dose COVID-19 vaccination clinics at Portsmouth High School on Friday, Aug. 27, for all citizens ages 12 and older.

There will also be another clinic on Sept. 17, information for which will be available at the Aug. 27 clinic. 

To get a vaccination appointment for the 1-3 clinic on Aug 27, go to www.vaccinateri.org/appointment/en/reg/9010206195.

To get a vaccination appointment for the 4-7 p.m. clinic on Aug 27, go to www.vaccinateri.org/appointment/en/reg/1912958600.

The town’s P-SAFE program is directed to make more vaccines available for children 12 and older while at the same time making vaccines available to all residents who may have missed the opportunity previously.

Mr. Talipsky said the Pfizer will be administered, and the town has been promised some extra doses to accommodate walk-ins. As of Friday, he said, less than 20 people had signed up for the clinic.

To get a vaccination appointment to one of the many other clinics, go to www.vaccinateri.com. If you have other COVID-related questions about local vaccination efforts, e-mail COVID@Portsmouthri.com.

Visit health.ri.gov for the latest, authoritative news about the virus.

The numbers on vaccinations

Here are some of the statistics culled from the RIDOH website as of Aug. 19:

State overview:

• Percent of all Rhode Islanders fully vaccinated: 63.3 percent

• Percent of all Rhode Islanders at least partially vaccinated: 70.2 percent

• Percent of R.I. adults (18 and over) at least partially vaccinated: 81.8 percent

• Percent of R.I. adults (18 and over) fully vaccinated: 74 percent

By age in Rhode Island

At least partially vaccinated:

14 and under: 12 percent

15-18: 61 percent

19-24: 55 percent

25-29: 54 percent

30-39: 65 percent

40-49: 70 percent

50-59: 76 percent

60-69: 92 percent

70-79: 98 percent

80 and over: 82 percent

Fully vaccinated

14 and under: 10 percent

15-18:  53 percent

19-24:  48 percent

25-29:  48 percent

30-39:  59 percent

40-49:  64 percent

50-59:  71 percent

60-69:  88 percent

70-79:  94 percent

80+:     78 percent

In Portsmouth 

At least partially vaccinated:

0-24: 38.3 percent

25-44: 77.2 percent

45-64: 70.1 percent

65+: 83.6 percent

Total: 65.1 percent

Fully vaccinated:

0-24: 33.9 percent

25-44: 71.3 percent

45-64: 66.5 percent

65+: 81.2 percent

Total: 61.1 percent