Hopping on a GO-VAXX bus was a quick and easy way to get vaccinated in Barrie on Wednesday.
“I like it, it was good,” said Christine Hayes, who got a COVID-19 jab at the pop-up clinic in the Lampman Lane Community Centre parking lot, near the skateboard park.
“The other one I did at one of the mass vaccination clinics,” she said, mentioning the Holly Community Centre in the city's south end. “This time I was looking for a pop-up that wasn’t busy.”
Hayes lives in Alliston and works in Barrie.
But William Beckman lives in the Letitia Heights neighbourhood where the vaccination bus was parked and spotted the pop-up clinic Wednesday afternoon.
“I was biking to the store and saw it,” he said. “It was good, highly recommended."
Beckman said he had earlier tried to book an appointment on the website, "and it was very inconvenient. But everything is right here and you don’t have to schedule an appointment.”
After getting their shots, some people sat in the chairs outside the bus flexing their left arms, where most get the vaccine.
The GO-VAXX bus was scheduled to be at 59 Lampman Lane until 7 p.m., tonight, and another is at Georgian College’s Barrie Campus, 1 Georgian Dr., until 6 p.m. Both were for the Pfizer vaccine only.
The Ontario government partnered with Metrolinx to convert two GO Transit buses to serve as mobile vaccine clinics, as part of the province’s last-mile strategy to target those who have yet to receive a first or second dose.
The GO-VAXX buses are travelling to malls, festivals, community hubs and events throughout the summer and fall across the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region.
Each bus operates as a fully functioning vaccine clinic with the necessary supplies and trained staff to provide assistance to people and ensure vaccines are administered safely. All COVID-19 safety precautions are followed on board the bus, including the required pre-vaccination screening and post-vaccination monitoring.
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is holding numerous vaccination clinics throughout the region this week. Individuals looking to receive their first or second dose may attend a clinic on a walk-in basis.
Vaccinations are available on a first-come basis, while supplies last and no appointment is necessary.
Immunizations are also available to residents at the COVID-19 Immunization Centre, 29 Sperling Dr., in Barrie until Sept. 29 through an appointment or walk-in.
COVID-19 vaccinations are available to individuals who are turning 12 years of age in 2021 (born in 2009) and older and needing their first or second dose. Second doses must be at least 21 days after a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, at least 28 days after a first dose of Moderna vaccine, or eight weeks after a first dose of AstraZeneca with informed consent.
For more information on getting the vaccine, click here.
