More details have become available about the Whole Community Vaccination Approach being implemented in Golden, that would make the vaccine available to all those 18+ in the area.
Interior Health is recommending that those with appointments already booked outside of the community approach program stick with their initial appointments.
Interior Health says that the vaccines available will most likely be either Pfizer and Moderna, but that it’s possible that this would change over the next few days as the situation and program continues throughout the week.
To date, the program has been a success, according to Interior Health spokesperson Karl Hardt.
“It has worked well. People are eager to get their vaccines and immunization is our most effective tool in controlling further spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” said Hardt.
Hardt confirmed that the whole community approach is directly related to the increase in COVID-19 activity in the area.
4,000 doses have been allocated to whole community clinics in the region. As of Wednesday, May 5, 2,240 immunizations in Golden have been delivered through the age-based system. Of those, 189 have been second doses.
Plans have yet to be finalized for second doses in the area, although Interior Healt says that everyone in Golden who receives their first dose will be offered their second dose withing the timelines outlined by the province.
Vaccinations will take place at the Curling Rink located at 1412 9th St. South.
The clinic will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and run from Saturday, May 8until Sunday, May 16, according to Interior Health.
An appointment is needed for immunization and whole community clinics are only for people who live in the eligible communities. Immunization clinics will verify postal codes at the time of appointments.
Residents of the communities above can register for their vaccine appointment at community specific clinics by calling 1-833-838-2323 between 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., PDT, seven days a week or register online with your Personal Health Number at https://news.interiorhealth.ca/news/taking-a-community-approach/.
The news comes after MLA had a conversation with Health Minister Adrian Dix, according to a Facebook post from Clovechok.
“I appreciate the Minister’s openness to communicating and working with me over these past few months. Advocacy works!” wrote Clovechok in a Facebook post.
Details will be announced over the next few days as Interior Health gets set up.
In the meantime, residents are encouraged to register for vaccination online at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register or on the phone at 1-833-838-2323.
The community approach is for communities with small populations and barriers to accessing larger immunization clinic, such as long distance travel.
Clinic schedules are based on the population sizes of communities and cannot accommodate people outside of these communities. Confirmation of address and home community through postal code will be required when booking your appointment.
