Island Health is launching a mobile COVID-19 “Vax Van” in an effort to get more young people their first doses before school returns.
The van, beginning its journeys Thursday, will head to busy locations including parks and beaches on Vancouver Island, according to a press release from Island Health.
Island Health says planning vaccine appointments can be difficult during the busy summer months for some people. They say no appointment will be required and vaccines will be available for those 12 and older.
“Immunization opportunities like this will help us to reach as many young and unvaccinated people as we can before school goes back in session and people move indoors in the fall,” said Dr. Mike Denusic, medical health officer for Island Health.
The first four stops of the Vax Van will be:
- July 22: Country Grocer parking lot (1400 Cowichan Bay Rd.), Cobble Hill
- July 23: Canadian Tire parking lot (2929 Green Rd.), Duncan
- July 25: Maffeo Sutton Park, Nanaimo
- July 26: Chase River Market Place Country Grocer (82 Twelfth St.), Nanaimo
- July 27: Westwood Lake, Nanaimo
Island Health is asking those attending the Vax Van clinics to stay hydrated and eat some food before getting vaccinated. They say people can register in advance to save time at getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca.
The van will visit Port Alberni, Oceanside, Campbell River, Langford and Sooke in the coming weeks, according to Island Health. They say an updated schedule will be on the Island Health website once more dates and locations are confirmed.
READ MORE: Vaccine milestone: More than one-million doses delivered in Island Health
Justin Waddell
April Lawrence
