Almost 1,500 vaccines delivered at Métis Nation of Alberta weekend clinic in Edmonton
A temporary Métis-led vaccination clinic in Edmonton helped continue to immunize Albertans against COVID-19.
The Métis Nation of Alberta organized and hosted a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Edmonton Inn and Conference Center from Friday to Sunday.
This marked the second Métis-led vaccination clinic in Edmonton. Several other clinics have been hosted this year across the province by the Métis Nation of Alberta.
Reagan Bartel, director of health for the Métis Nation of Alberta, told CTV News Edmonton that the Métis Nation of Alberta hosted the vaccine clinic as part of an immunization blitz.
“The Métis Nation (of Alberta) has an immunization prevalence of about 63 per cent, so we are a little bit behind the provincial average,” Bartel said. “We really want to create a barrier-free place where folks can feel comfortable to come and receive their vaccine.
“That’s why we are doing this push,” she said. “We’re doing second doses, first doses. Essentially, anybody who is ready to roll up their arms, we are here to provide that service to them today.”
For Bartel, the Métis-led clinic helps to ensure nobody is left behind when it comes to immunity against COVID-19.
The clinic was fully booked on Sunday with 450 appointments. On Friday and Saturday, the clinic had more than 800 appointments.
“We’ve made a big impact, almost 1,500 doses over the three days that we’ve run the clinic,” Bartel said.
Bartel said the clinic helped to create a safe space for Métis Nation members to come together and feel supported as they got their vaccine while also combating vaccine hesitancy. In addition to enjoying cultural music, participants were also treated to a piece of bannock following their shot.
“The mood and feel of the clinic is different,” Bartel said.
“It’s a way to support community,” she added. “For years, Métis folks have been saying we want supports and services from our community.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.
Fewer medical students going into family medicine contributing to doctor shortage
As some family doctors are retiring and others are moving away from family medicine, there are fewer medical students to take their place.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
Bodies found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers
United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers from British Columbia since the weekend have recovered two bodies in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.