Mass COVID-19 vaccination clinics starting to wind down

Island Health COVID-19 mass immunization clinics will begin closing Sunday to eventually fold into smaller public health units by the end of September — but not before offering walk-in shots to anyone who wants one.

The COVID-19 vaccination clinics at Archie Browning Sports Centre in Esquimalt and Mary Winspear in Sidney, for example, will close end of day Sunday and after that will funnel residents into the Victoria Conference Centre location. In turn, the conference centre will close Sept. 30 and fold into the Victoria Health Unit at 1947 Cook St.

The health authority says 74 per cent of residents in Island Health are fully vaccinated; the provincial rate is 75 per cent. Despite the relatively high vaccination rate, the province reported 689 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday for a total of 5,982 active cases in the province, including 346 on the Island.

“There is absolutely no doubt that vaccination is protecting people from serious illness,” said Island Health chief medical health officer Dr. Richard Stanwick.

“While we’re seeing excellent progress with vaccination rates, there is still work to be done,” he added, imploring residents to get fully vaccinated.

Immunizations started in December with the most vulnerable population: the elderly in seniors homes. The clinics grew to include large-scale clinics, outreach clinics for people who are homeless, whole community clinics in rural and remote locations, in-home vaccination for home-bound people, and outbreak responses.

The uptake has been such that “we can start looking beyond the mass immunization effort,” Stanwick said in a statement Friday.

Anyone in need of vaccination can find a nearby clinic and walk in without an appointment for a first or second dose, Island Health said. Appointments are also available for people who prefer that option and “expert immunizers” are available to support anyone who needs extra time or accommodation.

People walking in for a shot are asked to bring their personal health number. Appointments can still be booked through the getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca website or by calling 1-833-838-2323.

There are currently mass immunization clinics operating in communities from Victoria to Campbell River. The Port Alberni Athletic Hall clinic will also close Sunday. In its place, people can get vaccinations from public health units in Port Alberni, Bamfield and Ucluelet.

The hours of operation for the public health units are still being finalized, said Island Health.

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Mass clinic transition schedule