As health officials encourage everyone to receive the first and second doses of COVID-19, statistics show that three health units in Eastern Ontario have the highest third dose vaccination rates in Ontario.

According to data from Public Health Ontario, the Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark District Health Unit has the highest rate of population aged 18 and over with three doses - at 71.9 percent.

Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox, Addington Public Health Unit ranks second at 70 percent, followed by Ottawa Public Health where 68 percent of the population aged 18 and over have received a third dose.

In the Eastern Ontario Health Unit area, 61.44 percent of the population aged 18 and over received the first booster dose, while the Renfrew County and District Health Unit stands at 59.5 percent.

Vaccination rates remained stagnant during the spring and summer seasons. On March 31, 70 percent of the population aged 18 and over in the Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark health unit area received the first booster dose, while 69 percent of Kingston residents received their third dose.

According to the data, 65.8 percent of Ottawa residents aged 18 and over received a third dose by the end of March.

Ottawa Public Health encourages people to get a third or fourth booster dose as COVID-19 rates remain high in the capital.

In Ottawa, you can book an appointment for a third COVID-19 vaccine dose through the booking system or by calling the Regional Vaccine Call Centre at 1-833-943-3900.