Door prizes, live music at B.C. vaccine clinic hosting all-night 'Vax-a-thon' this weekend
There will be door prizes and live music at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Surrey, B.C., this weekend during a so-called "Vax-a-thon" that's scheduled to last more than 24 hours.
Health officials are hoping to administer approximately 7,000 first doses of vaccine during the immunization blitz, which is being held at the Guildford Recreation Centre on 105 Avenue.
The event begins at 11 a.m. Saturday and "transitions into an overnight Mask-erade" at around 8 p.m., according to Fraser Health.
"Dress to impress by wearing your fanciest mask or come as you are when you attend our nighttime immunization clinic," the health authority said in a news release. "After receiving your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, commemorate the moment by strutting down the red carpet and posing for a picture at our selfie station."
Anyone who is at least 12 years old and hasn't received their first dose can register for the Vax-a-thon in advance or simply show up, said Janice Asistio, manager of the clinic.
"For people who haven’t had their first doses, they can just come right up here and we will vaccinate them on the same day. There is no need for them to make an appointment,” said Asistio. “As a shift worker myself, I thought it was a great opportunity for people who don't get a chance to come to clinics during regular business hours, so we're open all night."
The health authority also encouraged people to celebrate Father's Day by arranging to get a shot at the clinic with their dad on Sunday.
"It's so important because you're not only protecting yourself, but you're protecting the people around you,” Asistio said. “The end of the pandemic is near and the more people that get vaccinated, the more protected we are as a community."
Earlier this month, the government of Manitoba announced a vaccine lottery offering nearly $2 million in cash prizes and scholarships as an incentive for residents to get immunized against COVID-19.
At the time, B.C. Premier John Horgan said he didn't believe such programs would be necessary in his province.
"I don't want to jinx it, but I do believe that we can get to our objectives without incentives," Horgan said, adding that "if it comes to that, we're not going to rule that out."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.