In early September, the Poirier Forum's tenure as a mass COVID-19 immunization clinic came to an end after serving the community for several months.
It's since reopened for fall recreational use, but now, Fraser Health is set to return for a pop-up event at the neighbouring Poirier Admin building (640 Poirier St.) in hopes of reaching out to more eligible residents aged 12 years and older who perhaps never had the chance to get jabbed.
The regional authority — which serves communities like Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra — is set to host the special clinic on Wednesday (Oct. 20), making first, second and third vaccine doses available.
Vaccines are set to be distributed for six hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. as supplies and capacity allow.
The Poirier Forum's immunization clinic officially closed on Sept. 3 about five months after it opened March 29 to amp up provincial vaccination efforts.
It served as a larger site with more stations available after a temporary immunization clinic closed at the Douglas College campus in Coquitlam.
The Tri-Cities eclipsed an 85 per cent double-vaccination rate among eligible residents aged 12 years and older between Oct. 5 and 11, and 90 per cent for single vaccinations according to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
For more information on the clinic and others set up across Fraser Health, you can visit the authority's website.
THIRD DOSES — TO WHOM IS IT RECOMMENDED?
Immuno-compromised Tri-City residents now have access to the third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Third jabs are available at the Tri-Cities' lone mass immunization clinic for those with compromised immune systems in ensuring they have better protection against the virus.
As capacity and supplies allow, the Coquitlam Central Station Park and Ride overflow lot is allowing eligible immuno-compromised residents who are 12 years and older to walk in and receive a third inoculation.
B.C.'s GetVaccinated portal is also sending invitations by phone, text or email to those residents to book an appointment ahead of time, and it must be at least four weeks apart from the second dose.
The Central Station site is also continuing to accept walk-ins for first or second doses seven days a week.
Its operating hours are as follows:
- 2900 Barnet Hwy.
- 9:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. = Monday to Friday
- 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. = Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
- Entrance off Mariner Way – east side of Rona. Proceed down the ramp and turn right
- The address will direct you to the main lot on the left but COVID-19 Services are located in the overflow lot to the right
- Do not cut through the Rona parking lot. Please follow the signs
A full eligibility list for those looking for a third vaccine dose is available on the BCCDC's website.
LOCAL HEALTH CASES
According to recent stats, confirmed cases appear to be on the downward trend for the first time in one month for the Tri-Cities.
There were 127 infections detected between Oct. 3 and 9 — the latest Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence data provided by the BCCDC.
The provincial health office says this is a nine per cent drop compared to the previous count of 139 (Sept. 26-Oct. 2).
* Note this story corrects a previous story that had the pop-up clinic returning to the Poirier Forum.
