Anvil Centre will once again host a vaccine clinic in New Westminster – but residents will have to get lucky to nab an appointment this month.
Fraser Health has announced the opening of several clinics around the region, which spans the territory from Burnaby to Boston Bar, to help accelerate the rollout of B.C.'s COVID-19 booster dose campaign.
Among the locations that will open this weekend is the Anvil Centre, which previously hosted a major vaccine clinic before shutting down in August 2021. A Fraser Health press release notes the Anvil location will offer appointment slots for boosters from Jan. 8 to 23 and Jan. 27 to 31. (As of Wednesday, no appointments were available at the clinic, but those seeking appointments are encouraged to keep trying, since slots may open up at various times.)
No walk-in slots will be available for booster doses; all must be delivered by booked appointment.
The downtown clinic (at 777 Columbia St.) is one of a list of new and/or expanded clinics that includes:
- Chilliwack Mall (now open Sunday to Thursday)
- Cloverdale Recreation Centre (now open seven days a week)
- Langley Events Centre (open on Jan. 9, increasing to Tuesday to Saturday starting Jan. 11)
- Maple Ridge: Haney Place Mall (now open Sunday to Thursday, increasing to seven days a week starting Jan. 9)
- New Westminster: Anvil Centre (open Jan. 8 to 23 and Jan. 27 to 31)
- South Surrey Recreation Centre (now open seven days a week)
- Surrey North (now open seven days a week)
The release notes the health authority is working to set up additional clinics in the Burnaby and Coquitlam areas and will update its website with dates and hours of operation in the coming days.
With this new clinic capacity, Fraser Health expects to provide an average of 75,000 immunizations weekly by Jan. 17, up from an average of 32,000 immunizations weekly in December 2021. On top of that, it expects pharmacies in the region to provide an average of 40,000 immunizations weekly by Jan. 17, up from an average of 18,000 immunizations weekly in December 2021.
"Fraser Health is committed to ensuring everyone who wants additional protection against COVID-19 has access to a booster dose. We will continue to look at opportunities for additional clinic locations so people can receive their booster dose quickly and close to home," the release notes.
Still looking for your booster dose?
All British Columbian adults are now eligible for a booster dose six months after their second shot. To get an invitation to book, you must first be registered in the province's Get Vaccinated system. For further details, you can check out the Government of B.C.'s vaccine website or call 1-833-838-2323.
To book an appointment, you can search available clinics and book online.
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