People wait to enter the Beban Park Social Centre in Nanaimo on Saturday, May 15 for scheduled vaccination appointments. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

vaccination effort

‘We’re planning for that:’ top doctor on mid island strategizing to boost COVID vaccination rates

May 17, 2021 | 5:26 AM

NANAIMO — Discussions among health officials are ongoing to reach out to people not so keen to roll up up their sleeves.

Mid-Island medical health officer Dr. Mike Benusic said he’s exploring ideas to reach out to vaccine hesitant populations, or those less inclined to make an appointment.

“That switch has already happened, we’re planning for that. But we’ll just get through the rest of the people who want it first then we’ll focus on those who have more difficulties getting it,” Benusic told NanaimoNewsNOW.

While Benusic is encouraged more than half of the eligible population in the central island area has received at least one COVID-19 shot, he said reducing barriers to increase vaccination rates will be required.

He said an outreach clinic model could be a fit in Nanaimo and perhaps other areas in the months ahead.

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“Do we have more of like a pop-up, walk-in clinic that’s a bit more flexible for people so they don’t have to register? Instead they just happen to be in the area and they come on down to get the vaccine.”

Dr. Benusic is convinced vaccine hesitancy will ease as time progresses, noting more people were skeptical of the province’s vaccine in the early days of the roll out compared to now.

“If one of your friends got it and they had a good experience that might be enough for them to say ‘Hey, you know what? I’m going to get one too.’”

Benusic said a mass vaccination clinic for the Gabriola Island community is slated to run for four days beginning Monday, May 17 at the Gabriola Community Hall.

A public health team is scheduled to vaccinate people on Protection Island on Friday, May 21.

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