Most on Bowen are familiar with the plastic folding chairs that were set out in sets of two at the back of the community school gymnasium Friday. They'll have sat in the chairs to watch the West Coast Symphony Orchestra, a Kelly Konno Studios dance recital, a municipal election debate. But it was an entirely different show Friday.
Mass COVID-19 vaccinations for Bowen Islanders 80 and over and Indigenous people 65 and over started March 19 at BICS. The clinic ran between 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
A volunteer greeted seniors in the gym's antechamber and checked their names against the appointment list and handed them a blue disposable mask before ushering them through the double doors. Once inside, seniors were directed to registration tables and then nurse or doctors' stations, where dozens of islanders finally got the jab.
After a quick chat with the health professionals, jabees were directed to the back of the room with their aftercare handouts and 'golden tickets' (yellow immunization records showing the type of vaccine they received – seniors at BICS Friday got the Pfeizer – and when). The seniors waited in the plastic folding chairs for 15 minutes – health staff monitoring in case any of the newly immunized Boweners had an adverse reaction to the vaccine – and then went on their way, through the back door.
Belterra resident Paul Tennant. By Bronwyn Beairsto
"It was so organized," said Paul Tennant, Belterra's oldest resident ("So they take good care of me," he laughs) and one of the earliest jabees on Bowen Friday. "I got here early and got right in and shot through."
Lauretta Milsted and her son Nelson. By Bronwyn Beairsto
Mount Gardner resident Lauretta Milsted, 96, too came in for the jab with her son Nelson. "So far so good," she said, sitting at the back after the vaccination. "It's good that I've had it."
Erwen Smith. By Bronwyn Beairsto
Erwen Smith's wife had to cancel her appointment the morning of the immunizations, but she managed to rebook for the second island clinic, scheduled to take place March 26. He got to get his vaccination though. "It's nice to know that one of us is over it and the other one's to come."
Ron and Heather Woodall. By Bronwyn Beairsto
And Ron and Heather Woodall. Nearly every week I call up Ron (ostensibly to talk about the cartoon but we usually wind up discussing obscure Bowenia or celebrities from his pre-island life). But this was my first time seeing the cartoonist in more than a year, despite living a few kilometres away. Heather clapped after getting her vaccine. Ron gave a thumbs up and cracked a few (deadpan) jokes with Dr. Susanne Schloegl (who was administering his vaccine).
Schloegl instructed Ron not to congregate with the other Bowen Islanders at the back of the room – to instead sit in the plastic folding chairs – as he, Heather, Paul, Lauretta and Erwen waited their 15 minutes after the vaccine and then went on their way, back to (relative) isolation.
As of noon March 20, Bowen Island seniors 70 and older and Indigenous people 55 and older are eligible to call to book a vaccination appointment.
Once one has an appointment, Vancouver Coastal Health offers these preparation instructions:
- Check your scheduled appointment date, time and location.
- Please arrive on time for your appointment and avoid arriving early. This will help us follow public health guidelines, maintain physical distancing and keep everyone safe.
- Wear a short-sleeve shirt as the vaccine will be delivered to your upper arm.
- Dress in layers to stay warm and bring an umbrella if it is raining as some outdoor waiting areas are uncovered.
- You will be monitored after receiving your vaccine for 15 minutes.
