Interior residents can now get a COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment

It was only three months ago that Interior Health’s phone lines were jammed as people tried to book appointments for COVID-19 vaccines.

Now, COVID-19 vaccines are plentiful enough, and enough people have been vaccinated that Interior residents can get a first dose of a vaccine without making an appointment at all.

The health authority announced Thursday it is adding drop-in hours at COVID-19 vaccine clinics for adults and teens.

The health authority says the drop-in immunizations are for first doses only, people waiting for a second dose will be contacted when it’s their turn to book.

In Kelowna, drop-in vaccinations are occurring at Trinity Church hall at 1905 Springfield Rd. between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

Full details of all the drop-in clinics are available here.

2:14 Interior Health launches mobile immunization clinics

The province said on Thursday that 72 per cent of British Columbians over the age of 12 have had one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

The health authority has been trying to make it as easy as possible for residents to get their first dose of vaccine.

This week it also launched two mobile drop-in clinics that are headed to areas far from established clinics and to areas with lower vaccination rates.

The schedule for the mobile clinics is available here.

2:29 Okanagan residents report challenges booking vaccines