Northern Health is getting ready to open more than 30 vaccine clinic locations across the region, including the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre.
When to call is based on age, with a staggered schedule that may vary - and some communities may have different directions and eligibility.
In Prince George, seniors aged 90 and older and Indigenous people ages 65 and older can book an appointment for a free COVID-19 vaccine starting tomorrow (Monday, March 8).
The call centre (1-844-255-7555) will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Seniors aged 80 years and above can call to book an appointment starting on March 10.
The goal is to administer nearly 15-thousand COVID-19 vaccine doses through Phase 2 clinics, between March 15 and April 10. Northern Health says as B.C.’s vaccine program continues to expand, its capacity will expand with several mass clinics opening by mid-April.
“Our Phase 2 clinics include venues in more than 30 northern BC communities; ranging from local health care facilities, to schools and local colleges, and conference and event centres,” said NH CEO Cathy Ulrich in a news release.
“We want to thank each and every community for their help in allowing use of their venues in the planned COVID-19 vaccine rollout.”
Northern Health says it continues to work in partnership with First Nations Health Authority, Métis Nation British Columbia, Friendship Centres and other community organizations, to ensure COVID-19 immunization clinics will have cultural supports available for those who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) individuals.
Vaccine appointment call centres expect to have high call volumes in the coming days and weeks. The Health Authority is asking if it’s not your turn yet to please not call in to book an appointment.
“Everyone who is eligible to book a vaccination appointment will be able to do so, and nobody will miss the chance to get the vaccine when a new phase starts. Once you become eligible, you are always eligible.”
Northern Health is also encouraging the public to reach out to friends and neighbours to see if they need help booking an appointment.
What to expect during the call:
When you call your health authority, you'll be asked for:
- First and last name
- Date of birth
- Postal code
- Personal Health Number
(You can find your Personal Health Number on the back of your B.C. driver's licence, BC Services Card or CareCard. If you do not have a Personal Health Number, you can still receive the vaccine).
You will also be asked for an email address that gets checked regularly or a phone number that can receive text messages
Northern Health will never ask you for your SIN, driver's licence number or banking and credit card details.
Once you provide your basic information and worked with the phone agent to select a time and clinic you will get a confirmation message sent by email or text.
If you call on behalf of someone else the phone agent will verify who you are calling for and ask you to provide their age and personal information. You’ll select an appointment time slot for the person you are calling for and then if you've provided contact information, you will get a confirmation message sent by email or text.
Vaccine Clinic locations in Northern Health. By Northern HealthWhat to expect at the vaccine clinic:
Northern Health says the vaccine appointments will approximately 10 minutes, with an additional 15 minute wait time before leaving the venue.
As part of Phase 2, you will get either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. A choice will not be offered.
You should wear a short-sleeved shirt and a mask and arrive a few minutes before your scheduled appointment time. You can also bring one person with you for support. All clinics are also wheelchair accessible and can provide you with a mask if you do not have one.
During the appointment, you will complete a check-in process, get your vaccine dose, and wait in an observation area for about 15 minutes.
You can expect to be at the clinic for 30 to 60 minutes in total.
