Island Health is set to open a mass vaccination clinic in the Comox Valley, with Glacier Gardens Arena coming online April 1.
Currently, the Valley only has one COVID-19 vaccination clinic – the North Island Hospital, Comox Valley (ambulance bay). In a list released earlier this month as part of the province’s phased vaccination approach, Island Health had the hospital location and the Comox Valley Health Unit at 961 England Ave. in Courtenay listed as vaccination sites in the Valley.
A spokesperson for Island Health said while it was initially indicated as a clinic location, the health unit was deemed not a feasible location as final preparations were being made due to inadequate space and accessibility.
“All appointments are currently being booked at the clinic location at the North Island Hospital, Comox Valley Campus,” noted the spokesperson. “No appointments were booked for the health unit site.”
As opposed to other mass vaccination clinics in other communities across the Island, Island Health has not yet updated the hours when the Glacier Gardens Arena location will be open. In Campbell River, the community centre serving as a clinic is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; at Beban Park in Nanaimo, their clinic is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In early March, Island Health released a list of preliminary COVID-19 vaccination sites which listed the arena at 1435 Military Row as part of the province’s vaccine rollout. Currently, B.C. is in Phase 2 of its plan, with anyone 82 years and older currently eligible for a vaccine. Today (March 18) at noon, anyone 81 years of age and older can call to book a vaccine appointment, and on March 19 at noon, anyone 80 and older can make an appointment.
At 1 p.m. today (March 18), the province is set to give an update on who is next in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix will present alongside Premier John Horgan and Dr. Penny Ballem, executive lead of B.C.’s immunization rollout team.
photos@comoxvalleyrecord.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
