They’re not coming back for now.
That’s what Fraser Health board chair Jim Sinclair noted about the much-maligned COVID-19 vaccine pop up clinics that were held recently in high transmission neighbourhoods.
Sinclair, during the FHA’s board of directors’ online meeting on Tuesday, answered a question from the public on whether the health region will try holding the first-come-first-serve clinics again and how people, especially those with language barriers, could be informed in advance.
Not needing appointments, many hundreds of people showed up, standing for hours hoping to get the AstraZeneca vaccine, with many at the end of the lines being turned away.
Sinclair said the region is not planning on holding any more such clinics for the time being until logistical issues can be worked out.
He noted the biggest challenge the region faces is getting people in the so called “hot spot” areas within the region vaccinated, which prompted the drop-in clinics in the first place.
“I personally believe that there will be a time, perhaps, when we do that again, because we do have to reach out and get people to sign up and be part of this,” he said.
Sinclair noted those 40 and over in these high-high-transmission areas can sign up for vaccine appointments: North Delta, East Newton, North Surrey, Panorama, South Langley Township, West Newton, Whalley, Fleetwood, Port Coquitlam and West Abbotsford.
B.C.'s immunization program is getting a boost this month with the province to receive a record number of vaccines for a one-month period.
Fraser Health this week encouraged everyone in the region to register now for their vaccine.
People 18 years and older are now able to register for immunization using the provincial registration and booking system – https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register
Registering is a necessary first step before someone can book an appointment.
People 40 years of age and older who live in the high-transmission neighbourhoods are eligible to receive vaccine now, but residents there must register first as well.
After registering, those residents will be contacted on the same day to book their vaccine appointment.
Meanwhile, all individuals 30 years and older are eligible to receive at a pharmacy the AstraZeneca vaccine now by booking at their local pharmacy - http://ttps://www.bcpharmacy.ca/resource-centre/covid-19/vaccination-locations.
