The Ontario GO-VAXX mobile vaccination clinic is stationed at the Orillia Waterfront Centre (Port of Orillia) today.
As of just after 1 p.m., 21 people had received the Pfizer mRNA vaccine for either first, second or booster doses. There are another 16 bookings for later today.
“We will do everything we can to get more needles in arms,” said Mayor Steve Clarke, who was at the waterfront greeting people who volunteered to get vaccinated. “The only way to get out of this is by having as many people as possible having as many antibodies as possible.”
Clarke says the idea for the event came from a constituent who reached out to his office to suggest bringing the GO-VAXX clinic to Orillia.
“We reached out to the province, and they said yes, it’s quite doable,” Clarke explained.
Tyler Hunt, the city's superintendent of property and assets, says the mobile clinic is more convenient for some people.
“This is a more informal arrangement, so people can stop in and have their appointment begin and ended much quicker,” he said. “It’s just a different location within the city for people to try out.”
Orillia's Lauren Tanner received her booster shot this afternoon. She says it's her way of doing her part for the community.
“I believe in the science of it,” she said. “I also have two small children, one of which is too young to be vaccinated.”
Tanner says the pandemic has made things difficult for her and her family due to the lack of activities. Getting vaccinated gives Tanner the confidence that everyday activities and routines will resume sooner rather than later, she said.
The clinic will be open from 4 p.m. till 5 p.m. this evening for children who would like to be vaccinated.
