COVID-19 vaccination sites in Richmond remain open to those who have booked appointments this week even as temperatures continue to soar.
Vancouver Coastal Health confirmed with the Richmond News that the Richmond sites – River Rock Casino and Kwantlen Polytechnic University – will not be cancelling or rescheduling any appointments because of the heat.
The Cambie secondary clinic was also unaffected, according to a clinic worker.
Jeremy Deutsch, spokesperson for VCH, said necessary steps are being followed to make sure staff and the public are taken care of at the vaccination sites during the heatwave.
These steps including setting up umbrellas at the sites to provide shade as well as water and cooling packs for people who may feel overheated.
People are asked to show up at their scheduled appointment times to avoid lineups outside.
Deutsch told the Richmond News they are also making sure their staff is equally protected from the heat by providing water and rehydration packages as well as regular breaks when needed.
“We take the current extreme heat seriously and are helping staff monitor for potential symptoms of dehydration and overheating,” said Deutsch.
Staff working outside are also asked to use sunscreen and to rotate frequently so they are not outside for long periods of time.
“We are also working with our facility partners to ensure airflow and cooling systems remain optimized. We’re incredibly grateful and proud of our staff at these clinics, who continue to do an incredible job under challenging conditions.”
Meanwhile, multiple clinics in the Fraser Health Region are re-directing walk-ins and anyone with an appointment booked after 12 p.m.
These clients will be re-directed to other clinics where “temperatures are more easily controlled,” according to a Fraser Health news release.
The affected sites include Burnaby, Mission, South Surrey, Coquitlam, Langley and Surrey COVID-19 Testing and Immunization Centres, as well as the Abbotsford Ag-Rec Centre Immunization Centre.
Environment Canada’s heat warning continues as the temperature is expected to hit 34C by 7 p.m. in Richmond and at least 43C in areas of the Fraser Valley.
-With files from the Canadian Press
