Stragglers who haven’t had their first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine yet are being strongly encouraged to stop by one of the pop-up clinics happening over the next few weeks on the North Shore.
Vancouver Coastal Health says it’s working with the Province of B.C. and other health authorities to make it easier for people to get vaccinated with the launch of Vax for BC. Throughout September, pop-up clinics will be up and running at fairs, festivals, and events in many communities.
VCH added that there’s no need for an appointment – you can just drop-in.
With new Provincial Health Officer regulations in place, proof of vaccination will soon be required to access some events, services and businesses. As of Sept. 13, people aged 12 and older will be required to show proof of one dose of the vaccine for entry to a broad range of social, recreational, and discretionary events and businesses throughout the province.
By Oct. 24, entry to these settings will require people to be fully vaccinated at least seven days after receiving second doses.
The North Shore has a few clinics popping up over the next couple of weeks to help ensure everyone has a chance to get their jab and be ready for the new rules.
Ambleside Artisan Farmers’ Market
This weekend the Ambleside Artisan Farmers’ Market at 1000 Argyle Ave., West Vancouver, will have a vaccine pop-up clinic on Sunday (Aug. 29) from noon to 4 p.m.
VCH says the pop-up clinic is weather dependent.
Capilano University Welcome Back Fair
There will also be a pop-up clinic at Capilano University’s Welcome Back Fair in September, giving students and residents the chance to get vaccinated from Sept. 7 or Sept. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The pop-up clinic will be located at 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver.
ICBC Claim Centre
VCH says while registration and booking using the provincial Get Vaccinated system is still recommended, drop-ins are also now welcome at all VCH clinics on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on your eligibility and vaccine availability. People 12+ are eligible to be vaccinated and you are eligible for a second dose at 28 days after your first dose.
A vaccine clinic is currently running at the ICBC Claim Centre, at 255 Lloyd Ave., North Vancouver, from now until Sept. 5 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The pop-up clinic will also run from Sept. 7 to 18 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with additional dates to be announced.
COVID-19 on the North Shore
North Shore residents notched almost 100 new cases of COVID-19 in the last week of data provided by the BC Centre for Disease Control.
Between Aug. 15 and 21, there were 96 new confirmed cases – 72 in North Vancouver and 24 in West Vancouver, up significantly from the previous week’s tally of 54 and 10 respectively.
According to the latest vaccination statistics, 90 per cent of North Vancouver residents had received at least one dose of vaccine by Aug. 24, while West Vancouver/Bowen Island residents trail behind, at 85 per cent. Both regions have been adding about one per cent to their total per week since midsummer.
-- With files from Brent Richter and Elana Shepert
