COVID-19 vaccines: Clinics offer 1st-dose 'fast lane' for Lower Mainland construction workers
Multiple clinics are being offered in Metro Vancouver to prioritize COVID-19 vaccines for local construction workers.
Announced Thursday, the clinics will run out of three locations over five days. Anyone working in construction can show up wearing their hard hat to get into a so-called "fast lane." A site access card or other construction ID is also valid.
Appointments aren't required and neither is government ID or a personal health number.
"Our workforce has done a phenomenal job of keeping safe during pandemic, and that after a long day on the jobsite it can be hard to prioritize getting your vaccine scheduled when you get home," said Chris Atchison, president of BC Construction Association, in a news release.
"We want to make it as easy as possible for workers to keep themselves, their families and their sites safe, and are appreciative of the efforts made by the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health to accommodate our essential workforce."
In creating the clinics, officials said they chose times and locations that would be convenient for most construction employees. The later times towards the end of the week hopefully make it easier for workers to get a shot on their way home from site.
The locations were also picked because of how close they were to a high density of workers and sites.
The clinics will run from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on June 24, 25 and 30 and on July 8 and 9 at the following locations:
- Christine Sinclair Community Centre at 3713 Kensington Ave. in Burnaby
- Italian Cultural Centre at 3075 Slocan St. in Vancouver
- Abbotsford Exhibition Park, Building 1 at 32470 Haida Dr. in Abbotsford
"This is a message to our workforce, starting with the sites and employers in Vancouver who have put so much into keeping our industry safe, that getting vaccinated is an important thing to do," said Donna Grant, president of Vancouver Regional Construction Association, in the news release.
"If turnout is good, we'll keep it going and we'll expand."
As of Wednesday, more than 76 per cent of adults in B.C. had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.