A national seniors’ advocacy organization, has released a Vaccine Report Card evaluating all provinces and territories on their efforts to vaccinate older adults, and Newfoundland and Labrador sits in the middle of the pack.

CanAge says its latest report shows what it calls a “troubling divide.” While some areas are stepping up protections, others are making decisions that leave vulnerable residents exposed to serious illness.

PEI came out on top, with Nova Scotia in second place followed by Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Yukon tied for third.

CanAge says while NL is making progress in some areas, “critical gaps” remain, including the need to expand RSV programs to include those living in the community, and to integrate complete vaccination records into MyHealthNL.

Meanwhile CanAge applauds Newfoundland and Labrador for making the “bold move” of supplying funding for shingles vaccines for all residents 50 plus.

Other jurisdictions are going backward according to CanAge, including Alberta where a $100 administrative fee is being introduced for COVID vaccines, and Quebec which plans to restrict universal access to COVID vaccines starting this fall.

Last place goes to BC, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The report also evaluated all jurisdictions on funding, access and public awareness for six vaccines including the flu, pneumococcal disease, shingles, RSV, COVID and Tdap.