Two additional COVID-19 clinics have been added in April, including at a location in Gibsons.
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) announced the dates Monday, April 19, though bookings for the Gibsons clinic were being made as early as Saturday.
The new clinic dates and hours are listed on VCH’s website, along with the previously announced April 27 clinic from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre:
• April 28 – 9 a.m. to noon, 1 to 5 p.m. at the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre.
• April 29 – 9 a.m. to noon, 1 to 5 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 109 in Gibsons.
A new clinic was also added for Powell River, on April 28.
“VCH is committed to ensuring those who are eligible for vaccination and live on the Sunshine Coast and Powell River will have the opportunity to get their vaccine,” said Monday’s release.
Prior to the new clinic dates, one clinic remained available in April at the Sechelt location.
Last week, eligible residents prompted to book an appointment said bookings were full and they were instead told to try booking off-Coast.
Coast Reporter received a report that a volunteer at the April 15 clinic in Sechelt was unable to receive her dose on the Sunshine Coast and would have to travel to UBC for her appointment.
At least one resident was told to try a Vancouver location as late as April 17.
“Pop up clinics,” as described by VCH, were held at Madeira Park and Gibsons in late March, but last week Sunshine Coast COVID Task Force physician Darren Spithoff said all vaccination clinics would be held at the Sechelt location “moving forward.”
In its Monday release, VCH repeated previous comments to Coast Reporter that “VCH regularly monitors and adjusts clinic dates and hours of operation based on appointments, vaccine availability and the age demographics of the communities we serve.”
