Special drop-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics are coming to Richmond as part of the province’s efforts to vaccinate as many people as possible.
On Tuesday, the province launched its Vax for BC campaign, where drop-in events, “vax vans” and mobile clinics will be set up in communities across B.C. to help get more people vaccinated with their first and second COVID-19 doses. The campaign will run through August.
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) will be holding a number of events throughout the region, including Richmond, during the campaign, a spokesperson said.
VCH is partnering with the Richmond Night Market to offer a pop-up vaccination clinic on Friday, Aug. 6 and Saturday, Aug. 7 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. First doses will be offered to those aged 12 and older, while second doses will be available depending on capacity and people’s eligibility.
People are eligible for a second dose 49 days (seven weeks) after receiving their first shot.
Meanwhile, there will be a special walk-in event at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University clinic on Aug. 4 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., which will include live music.
That event falls on Walk-in Wednesday, a province-wide initiative under the Vax for BC campaign, whereby 20,000 doses will be available at all clinics across B.C. without any need for an appointment. This initiative is for those wanting to get either first or second doses.
Furthermore, drop-ins are available on a first-come, first-serve basis at all VCH clinics including Richmond's other vaccination sites at Cambie Secondary and the River Rock Casino. These drop-ins will also depend on people’s eligibility and vaccine availability.
Vaccination rates in Richmond are now comparable to other communities within the VCH region, according to the health authority. The city was lagging behind other municipalities to around early June.
The BC Centre for Disease Control’s COVID-19 surveillance dashboard shows that, as of July 26, 84 per cent of people aged 12 and up in Richmond have received their first dose of the vaccine, while 56 per cent have received their second dose.
