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Richmond will host a pop-up vaccine clinic on Aug. 4 as part of the province’s Vax for BC initiative, which encourages more people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Photo screen grab from Province of BC YouTube

Pop-up vaccine clinic in Richmond Aug. 4

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 10:41 PDT, Tue July 27, 2021

Last Updated: 4:21 PDT, Tue July 27, 2021

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The province is launching more vaccination opportunities to try to get as many people immunized against COVID-19 as possible.

One of these opportunities is walk-in vaccinations, including in Richmond on Aug. 4. That clinic will happen at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (8771 Lansdowne Rd.) from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and will also feature live music.

The Vax for BC initiative begins today and runs throughout the month of August, and also includes community events, vaccination vans and mobile clinics in dozens of communities throughout B.C. While registration and booking using the provincial Get Vaccinated system is still encouraged, these events will allow eligible people to walk-in and receive a vaccine without a scheduled appointment.

In addition to drop-in events, Vax for BC will provide a chance for people to share messages and notes of gratitude to pandemic heroes over the last 18 months. British Columbians are encouraged to share written messages online, in their windows at home and in-person at vaccination locations.

"For those who have not yet been vaccinated, it is easier than ever to get your first or second dose. Join the millions of people in our province who have taken this step, not just for themselves, but for their larger community,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer.

Along with regional events held by health authorities, Vax for BC will also include the first province-wide Walk-in Wednesday. On Aug. 4, clinics throughout the province will reserve approximately 20,000 doses for walk-in vaccinations for anyone 12 years and older still needing their first dose or people eligible to receive their second dose.

As more British Columbians step up and get vaccinated through Vax for BC, the province will gradually refocus its vaccine efforts from mass clinics onto programs targeting the hardest to reach people. In the weeks ahead, B.C.'s vaccine strategy will shift toward more local public health clinics, community outreach efforts, mobile programs and pop-up clinics. These will take place within specific communities and populations throughout the province, where the need is greatest.

Data from the BC Centre of Disease Control (BCCDC) shows that less than five per cent of COVID-19 cases from June 15 to July 15 were among fully vaccinated people. In addition, during the same time period, 78 per cent of people hospitalized in B.C. with COVID-19 were unvaccinated.

A full list of Vax for BC events happening throughout the province is listed in the backgrounder section of the news release and is also available online: gov.bc.ca/vaxforbc

British Columbians will also be able to download thank-you letters from the Vax for BC website.