Fraser Health held 32-hour ‘vax-a-thon’ overnight this weekend, reached vaccination goal
Posted June 20, 2021 7:36 pm.
Last Updated June 20, 2021 11:14 pm.
SURREY (NEWS 1130) — Fraser Health, the region that has seen some of the highest cases of COVID-19 in the province, held a 32-hour overnight ‘vax-a-thon’ in Surrey this weekend.
The goal for the event was to vaccinate 7,000 people and the health authority says they reached their goal in a tweet following the event.
7000 people immunized! We are wrapping up our first Vax-a-thon which was a great success. Thank you to our partners @CityofSurrey @WestJet and everyone who came out to get vaccinated to help put the pandemic behind us. #Vaxathon #BCimmUNITY #CommunityImmunity pic.twitter.com/sxwX4CSx2X
— Fraser Health (@Fraserhealth) June 21, 2021
Elizabeth Bremner, clinical manager at the Guildford Recreational Centre, says the ‘vax-a-thon’ saw people come through for their shot around the clock.
“That’s a total of 32 hours of us helping people get those important immunizations and building that immunity in the community,” she says.
We’re having a ball in the final stretches of our weekend vax-a-thon with our Doses with Dad Father’s Day clinic. Stop by with Dad (or even a non-Dad) and check those COVID-19 vaccine doses off your list. Learn more: https://t.co/mh5Os4ZoJg pic.twitter.com/KNHEfyR2Ou
— Fraser Health (@Fraserhealth) June 20, 2021
She says the clinic was busy during the late hours too, as the overnight worked well for people who work during traditional open hours.
“There were a lot of people came by during extended hours which was great because we were hoping to open it up to people who maybe might work non traditional shift hours and haven’t had that capacity to get in.
“We definitely hit our target on that one, because people were coming through the night. We’ve stayed busy the whole time and I think that’s something to be celebrated,” Bremner says.
Bremner says the clinic on Sunday had a special theme — “Doses with Dads.”
Doses with Dad is underway at the 32-hour Vax-a-thon. Bring your best material for the all-day dad-jokes open mic and grab a bite on your way out.@VaxHuntersCan | @CityofSurrey | @WestJet#Vaxathon #DosesWithDad pic.twitter.com/XcUpG4bHxP
— Fraser Health (@Fraserhealth) June 20, 2021
“For Father’s Day … normally you go golfing or fishing or whatever your choice might be, but this is a new choice on the menu for Father’s Day activities,” she says.
However, the event was not an entirely smooth affair for everyone.
Meanwhile, Laurie Makela, who had been in the lineup on Sunday, expressed her frustration as her 87-year-old mother’s appointment was delayed due to the ‘vax-a-thon.’
“Dr. Henry thinks this is just so wonderful… Well maybe it should be better organized with people with appointments, and people who are just walk-in,” Makela says, adding that her mother had to wait outside in the heat for her appointment.
