Interior Health expands mobile immunization clinic program to urban areas
Beginning this week, Interior Health is launching what it calls "urban mobile immunization clinics," in an effort to increase the number of people in the region who have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
The health authority describes the program as building on the "great success" it has had with mobile clinics targeting rural and remote communities.
"We are now using that experience to launch mobile clinics for urban neighbourhoods," said Interior Health president and CEO Susan Brown, in a news release.
"This is another way to make sure vaccine is easily accessible to provide everyone an opportunity to get vaccinated."
The clinics travel around the Interior, and no appointment is required to get a first dose. People can walk up, register and receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
The urban clinics will target neighbourhoods in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon, Penticton and Salmon Arm, offering first doses to anyone age 12 or older who wants them, according to Interior Health.
The first clinic is scheduled to begin on Tuesday at Kelowna Secondary School Gym, and will run from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily through Thursday.
Details on the mobile immunization clinic schedule can be found on the health authority's website.
According to data from the provincial government, 69 per cent of eligible Interior Health residents had received a first vaccine dose as of Saturday. That total is higher than the immunization rate seen in Northern Health, but lower than those seen in every other health authority in the province.
As of Friday, 75 per cent of eligible people province-wide had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
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.