Massive lines for COVID shots outside pop-up vaccination clinics is good news: expert

BURNABY (NEWS 1130) — Expert says she understands many are desperate to get the vaccine and long, crowded lineups outside vaccination clinics popping up for Metro Vancouver’s hot spots can be anxiety-inducing, but the number of people wanting to get the shot is very encouraging.

Dr. Tania Bubela is the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. She says she is happy to see so many people line up for their shot because immunizing a majority of the population “is the only way we’re going to claw our way out of this pandemic.”

“If you can stay overnight to queue up for event tickets — to your favourite rock concert — this is another form of queuing for something that I think has a great benefit. Not only to yourself, but to the people that you love, and the all of the population around you,” she says.

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However, if you’re feeling stressed out she says try to remain patient and remember that eventually, there will be enough vaccine for everyone.

But if you don’t want to wait in line — for sometimes up to four hours — Bubela says just wait and register for your vaccine online.

Currently, anyone in B.C. over the age of 18 can register.

Bubela also adds it’s important to remember, “The right vaccine is the first one that you’re able to get. They’re all good.”

Some people have expressed their reluctance with the AstraZeneca shot but Bubela says the risks are “very minimal.”

“And certainly no more than compared to, for example, taking a contraceptive pill or taking hormones or other things. Blood clots are sometimes a reaction to some forms of medication,” she explains.

Read More: Flu-like symptoms after COVID jab ‘normal,’ should not deter people from getting vaccinated

This week, some frustrated people waiting for their vaccine said there was a lack of communication with “high-transmission” communities on where exactly these pop-up clinics would be.

In response to the criticism, Health Minister Adrian Dix promised to improve the alert system, so target groups are notified in a timely manner.