B.C.’s first COVID-19 vaccine “fast lane” for construction workers are setting up in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health Regions.

“Our workforce has done a phenomenal job of keeping safe during pandemic, and that after a long day on the jobsite it can be hard to prioritize getting your vaccine scheduled when you get home” says Chris Atchison, president of BC Construction Association (BCCA). “We want to make it as easy as possible for workers to keep themselves, their families and their sites safe, and are appreciative of the efforts made by the Fraser and Vancouver Coast Health to accommodate our essential workforce.”

The clinic locations are The Italian Cultural Center (Vancouver), The Christine Sinclair Community Centre (Burnaby), and Abbotsford Ag Rec. No pre-registration is needed. Workers can show up between 1:30 and 4:30pm to get their first dose of vaccine. The dates will be June 24, 25 and 30 as well as July 8 and 9. 

BCCA has partnered with the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA), the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA), BCCA Employee Benefits Trust (EBT) and the Council of Construction Associations (COCA) to get the word out about the fast-track clinics.

The late-in-the-day, end-of-week timeslots were chosen to make it easier for workers to head from the site to the clinic before they go home, and so they can rest and relax in case of any temporary side effects. The locations in this pilot were selected by the VRCA for their proximity to a high density of workers and work sites.

“We have enormous respect for our workforce and the essential contribution they’ve made to B.C.’s economy by working throughout the pandemic. We want to help them stay healthy and hope that workers who haven’t had the chance to get their first dose yet will take advantage of this fast-track opportunity.  We’re making it as easy as we can – just head from your worksite to a participating clinic and get it done,” said Atchison.