Image credit: Kent Simmonds/CFJC Today

By Chad Klassen

COVID-19 VACCINE CLINIC

Kamloops residents line up for first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Mar 15, 2021 | 12:16 PM

KAMLOOPS — After months of waiting for their COVID-19 vaccine, hundreds of Kamloops residents lined up at McArthur Island on Monday (March 15) to receive their first dose.

The first public clinic opened in Kamloops, marking the start of a six-month plan to get everyone in the city — who wants it — vaccinated. Interior Health nurses were busy inoculating the 408 people who booked appointments for day one of public vaccinations.

“I’m really happy to get it, get back to my way of life again,” said Georgina Cavanagh, who received her first dose.

Trudy Doell added, “I feel great. I’m very, very happy and excited.”

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“I think it relaxes you from all the news that’s on and relaxes you that now you’re one that has accomplished what they’ve endeavored to do,” said David Zimmer.

Image credit: Kent Simmonds/CFJC Today.

This week, it’s the 80-plus population and Aboriginals over 65 years old. Many took advantage of the opportunity to get the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. The province pushed up the age range for opening week with enough supply available.

Tk’emlups Indian Band Councillor Sonny Leonard got his first shot, but more importantly, he’s happy his 91-year-old mom is receiving it as well.

“It’s really going to help our family because mom will be turning 92 and we do in-home care,” he said. “We have our brothers and sisters and three additional support people looking after mom, so it really helps.”

Interior Health, in partnership with the City of Kamloops, has been working on opening the clinic for the last month. Now that it’s operating, the hope is to get the entire population vaccinated with the first dose by June.

“We’re hoping we can get through the population within the next couple months — so April, May and into June probably,” said Interim Public Health Director of Interior Health West Carla Mantie. “Because of the expansion to 16 weeks [between doses], we’ve been able to get more vaccine into more people.”

Interior Health added that vaccine supply during the next six months shouldn’t be an issue.

“We have a lot, is what I’ve been told, and that we are expecting a lot to come,” Mantie noted. “I don’t have any worries with the supply chain, and we’ve definitely booked appointments accordingly.”

Many said their routines won’t change for a while, but simply getting the vaccine is a huge relief after a year of isolation. Some are going to slowly venture out of their homes.

“I might get my hair done and get massages,” said Cavanagh. “We’ll do that later on after Easter.”

There are more than 400 appointments booked every day this week for the clinic at McArthur. The clinic moves to the Tournament Capital Centre next week. Beyond that, both clinics will be open and running until September.

Anyone in the proper age category who would like to register for a vaccine appointment can call 1-877-740-7747 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., seven days a week.