Wildfire evacuees encouraged to take advantage of B.C.'s Walk-in Wednesday vaccine event
People who’ve missed getting a vaccine because of wildfire evacuations are being encouraged to go get a first or second dose on Wednesday.
B.C.’s Walk-in Wednesday event will see all vaccine clinics across the province open up for drop-in appointments. This means that people don’t need to pre-book their vaccine through the province’s scheduling system.
People are asked to bring photo ID. Anyone seeking a first dose is welcome to drop-in at a clinic of their convenience, as well as those seeking a second dose – provided they received their first dose before June 16.
“We know that many people who've been displaced because of the wildfires ... may not have had the opportunity to get their second dose or to get their first dose,” Dr. Bonnie Henry said Tuesday.
“Tomorrow's an opportunity across the province for people to walk in and get those important vaccines that will protect you from COVID-19.”
Walk-in Wednesday is part of the Vax for BC campaign. On its website, it says that those dropping in for a jab should be prepared to receive either of the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna) and that those who are getting their second dose are encouraged to bring their proof-of-immunization record.
The vaccine push as the province records an uptick in cases, especially in the Interior Health authority. Henry says most new cases are among those who aren’t yet vaccinated.
“The vast majority of people who are getting sick with COVID right now, have not been immunized,” she said.
And less than four per cent of those who’ve been in the ICU with COVID-19 infections in the past two months were people who have received a vaccination, she said.
“We know the vaccine works, it protects people, and that's what we need to focus on,” Henry said.
For those who can’t make it to Walk-in Wednesday, it’s still worth checking for other walk-in vaccine times. There’s a list that includes the time and place of future walk-in clinic times across the province, available on the Vax for BC website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
NEW More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Polar ice is melting and changing Earth's rotation. It's messing with time itself
One day in the next couple of years, everyone in the world will lose a second of their time. Exactly when that will happen is being influenced by humans, according to a new study, as melting polar ice alters the Earth’s rotation and changes time itself.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.