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Sooke booster clinic jabbing 200 arms a day

COVID vaccination clinic has been running smoothly in its first week
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Renee Monson receives her COVID-19 booster shot from nurse Scott Renmer during a vaccination clinic on Thursday at SEAPARC Leisure Complex in Sooke. (Justin Samanski-Langille - Sooke News Mirror)

Things are running smoothly in the first week of the new COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex in Sooke, according to clinic staff.

Kirsten Hull, a public health nurse clinician at the clinic, said the first few days have been without issue and a constant flow of people looking to get their booster shots have been coming through the recreation centre’s doors.

“It’s going really, really well,” said Hull. “We are making around 246 appointments per day, and then we have space for a few first and second dose walk-ins.”

Demand and capacity at the clinic have been well-matched so far, and Hull said this was to be expected given how much experience she and her colleagues have built up over the past two years of the pandemic. Since they predominantly give out booster shots, their clients are well-versed in what they need to do when they arrive, making things even more accessible for the 10 or so staff working there each day.

“Our staff here are amazing, and they are the real reason why things are running so smoothly here,” said Hull. “Local staff have come out of retirement just to work at this clinic, which has been really great.”

Should the need arise, the clinic can increase its daily jab capacity. Compared to the previous clinic location at the Evergreen Centre, the new site is much larger and can handle more appointments each day.

Those who have not yet received their first or second dose are also encouraged to come in at any time during the clinic’s hours, as no appointment is necessary for those doses. If you have already received your first two doses, be on the lookout for a notification from public health inviting you to book an appointment for a booster shot once you are eligible, which is typically around six months after receiving a second dose.

The clinic operates Tuesday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 6:20.p.m., offering doses for people 12 and older, and the same hours Friday and Saturday, offering doses for children ages 5-11. It will operate as long as needed, according to Island Health.

READ MORE: City of Victoria staff vaccine mandate sees 25 put on unpaid leave


@JSamanski
justin.samanski-langille@goldstreamgazette.com

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Justin Samanski-Langille

About the Author: Justin Samanski-Langille

I moved coast-to-coast to discover and share the stories of the West Shore, joining Black Press in 2021 after four years as a reporter in New Brunswick.
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