With COVID-19 immunizations slated to begin next week, here's what you can expect inside Prince George's first mass vaccination centre.
Shots will start going into arms at the first mass public vaccination centre, located at Prince George Conference and Civic Centre starting Tuesday (March 16), Northern Health says.
The authority is looking to start by distributing up to 200 vaccinations per day.
Those arriving at the centre will be required to stand in line, socially distanced. They'll then be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before entering the vaccination area.
Anyone with symptoms is asked not to come to the Civic Centre and reschedule their appointment.
After screening, people will be asked to register before being seated in a socially-distanced waiting area until their name is called.
Once a station is opened, the person being immunized will be asked again to verify themselves before receiving their vaccination. There are currently 15 stations ready to go and can be scaled up if needed.
When the vaccination is completed, people will be asked to sit in a different waiting area for roughly 15 minutes to monitor for any adverse reactions.
The total appointment time from start to finish is roughly 30 minutes.
Here's an inside look at the first mass vaccination clinic inside the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre. Vaccinations are scheduled to begin in Northern Health next week. #bcpoli #bced #COVID19 #COVIDBC #COVID19BC #COVID #cityofpg @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/MxtJSPQA2o
— Jess Balzer (@jessicajbalzer) March 12, 2021
Monday (March 8) was the first day of registration for eligible seniors aged 90 or older and Indigenous persons 65 years or older, in which Northern Health successfully booked 1,007 appointments.
As of Wednesday (March 10), Northern Health residents aged 80 and older are also able to now call to schedule a vaccination.
The authority is also stressing to check its website for age groups eligible to book and what times. Northern Health's vaccination schedule may be different than the provincial government as each health authority has different circumstances.
As of this publication, Health Minister Adrian Dix says since Monday (March 8) there have been a total of 68,694 appointments booked.
Northern Health alone has successfully scheduled 4,432 appointments.
With opening vaccine bookings to people 85+ at noon, health authorities have booked 29,531 appointments today for a total of 68,694.
— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) March 12, 2021
By HA today’s (and total) numbers:
VIHA - 3,712 (9,857)
FHA - 10,953 (27,440)
IHA - 5,182 (11,154)
VCH - 8,112 (15,811)
NHA - 1,572 (4,432)
When calling into your health authority, you will be asked for:
- First and last name
- Date of birth
- Postal Code
- Personal Health Number
Call centre hours are seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The provincial government is stressing to only call to make an appointment if it is your turn.
Those in Northern Health who are eligible are asked to call 1-844-255-7555 to book.
More clinics will open as eligibility and vaccinations ramp up.
