Fraser Health’s vaccine push takes to streets of White Rock

WHITE ROCK (NEWS 1130) — In hopes to vaccinate more British Columbians against COVID-19, a Mobile Vaccine Bus was deployed to the City of White Rock Wednesday.

The air-conditioned bus will be located in the East parking lot on Marine Drive between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for one day.

Fraser Health, TransLink and the City of White Rock joined forces on the initiative in order to convince hesitant people to take the plunge.

Cathy Massey, Director at Fraser Health, says it’s a fun and quick way to get people their shot.

“We see this as a real opportunity to provide immunizations to people where they are congregating in the summer season, and make it easily accessible,” Massey said.

The only requirement is that everyone must be 12 and over.

Fraser Health says even people without a personal health number, and people who are not residents of B.C. can still get their shot.

Read more: Fraser Health setting up beachside COVID-19 vaccine clinics

Last week, two other popular beaches in Metro Vancouver hosted pop-up clinics organized by Fraser Health. The clinics were held at South Surrey’s Crescent Beach and Cultus Lake near Chilliwack. Fraser Health said the destinations are especially popular among young adults and families, and wanted to ensure they get more opportunities to get immunized if they haven’t already.

Massey said that they were really successful, with about 200 people getting a shot in each location, a third of them getting their first dose.

She says many who decided to get a vaccine responded with “why not?” It’s a message she’s hoping others take to heart.

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In B.C., 79.1 per cent of people 12 and up have one shot and 46 per cent are now fully vaccinated.

All other clinics in the region are also accepting drop-ins for first doses. A list of locations can be found online.