AHS offering pop-up vaccination services in Strathmore, Rockyford

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Alberta Health Services (AHS) will be offering walk-in first dose COVID-19 vaccinations at pop-up clinics in Strathmore and Rockyford this week. 

The pop-up clinics are among a series of similar initiatives that have been made available across the province, including in High River, Cremona, and Airdrie, among other locations.

According to Joanne Coldham, AHS director of public health for the Calgary zone, the walk-in vaccinations will look and operate similarly to scheduled vaccinations at more regular locations. 

She also explained regular booked appointments are still open, but the walk-ins are designed to be more accessible to anyone.

“We just know that there are people who don’t access computers very well or feel more comfortable with just making a decision and coming for a vaccine,” she said. “It offers an opportunity for that population.”

There will be 300 vaccines made available at either location. Most of which, according to Coldham, will be Moderna. She added some Pfizer shots will also be available.

Though the pop-up clinics are designed to incentivize those who may be holding out to receive their first vaccination dose, those who have had their first at least 21 days prior will be able to receive their second dose at those clinics.

Coldham added AHS wants to especially encourage those in communities where vaccination numbers are fewer to take advantage of the pop-up clinics. 

“When we looked at the populations that we had lower uptake on, there were a number of identified communities. We reached out to those communities and asked if they would like to help support a pop-up clinic,” she said. “These communities expressed interest and were willing to work with us to provide those opportunities.”

At minimum, AHS is asking those who make use of the pop-up clinics to bring with them one piece of photo ID, though it is also requested that interested persons also bring their Alberta Health Care card.

Face masks will also be required to be worn, and hand sanitizer used when attending a site for immunization. 

“If [you] don’t have an Alberta Health Care card, you can still come, we will still get [you] access to a vaccine because it is public health,” said Coldham.

The pop-up clinic in Rockyford will be hosted at 408 Serviceberry Trail on July 14 from 4 to 8 p.m, and the Strathmore clinic will be at the Strathmore Civic Centre on July 15 during the same hours.

Coldham added pop-up clinics will return to distribute second doses in early August, but did not specify exactly when or where they would appear.

Via a news release, AHS reminded that if any person experiences symptoms, stay home and arrange for COVID-19 testing though their website or by calling 811.