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
BREAKING Person engulfed in flames outside N.Y. courthouse where Trump trial underway, says CNN
A person was covered in flames outside the New York courthouse where former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is underway, CNN reported on Friday.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
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.
'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.
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.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.