If you haven’t yet managed to get a flu shot, good news: Two outdoor flu clinics are coming to New Westminster.
To help meet high demand for flu shots this season in the face of COVID-19, the Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice is offering outdoor clinics in parking lots in New West and the Tri-Cities.
The New West clinics – which will be available for both drive-thru and walk-up appointments - are being held on two upcoming Thursdays, Nov. 12 and Nov. 26, in the Canada Games Pool parking lot (65 East Sixth Ave.).
The clinics will be held by appointment, and there’s a two-step process to sign up.
First, anyone who wants to book an appointment must pre-register using a form on the Division of Family Practice website.
It may take up to one business day for registration information to be processed, although some registrations may go through more quickly. Once registration information has been processed, you must then return to the website to book an appointment time.
Appointments are available for both children and adults; anyone aged six months and up can get their shot at the clinics.
There’s one caveat, however: anyone hoping to get the FluMist nasal spray for their child will not be able to do so at these clinics, since supplies of the nasal spray are currently low across the province.
In order to adhere to COVID-19 protocols, everyone who attends is asked to wear a mask and to maintain physical distance from others waiting. You’re asked to arrive as close to your appointment time as possible – neither early nor late – in order to minimize traffic at the site.
And, of course, anyone showing COVID-19 symptoms is asked to stay home and not attend the clinic. Instead, self-isolate and use the COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool at www.healthlinkbc.ca to determine whether you need to test for COVID-19.
Got any other questions? All the information you need, including an introductory video and a document of frequently asked questions, can be found at the website.
And an extra tip for anyone who’s housebound and can’t get out to a flu clinic? The Fraser Northwest Division of Family Practice notes that Columbia Prescription Xpress pharmacy in New Westminster is offering home visits for flu vaccinations. Call 604-525-3784.
Any other questions about the flu shot can be emailed to fluclinic@fnwdivision.ca.
