“Vaxmobile” helping deliver vaccine to new clients
With the shift in vaccine delivery from mass clinics and drive-thrus, the Saskatoon vaccine team has had some incredible success in their mobile and pop-up clinics around the city.
“The team has come up with some really creative ideas to get the vaccine to people where they live, work and play,” said Jennifer Cushon, Immunization Section Chief in Saskatoon. “By going out into the community, we are able to locate clinics in areas where we know people congregate, or where we know there is still a larger portion of the population who need their first or second dose.”
One recent addition to the strategy that has opened up new locations for the team is an RV, which has affectionately been dubbed the “Vaxmobile.”
“With the Vaxmobile, we are able to park in some strategic spots,” said Sheila Morgan, Team Lead with the COVID immunization campaign. “We mix up the vaccine inside, as we’re able to keep it temperature regulated, and then we vaccinate outside under the awning.”
Through August, the RV visited about 30 locations, and immunized approximately 2,145 people.
“Our standout location so far is probably the parking lot in Confederation, outside of Jysk and Superstore,” said Morgan. “We’ve done three clinics there, and they’ve been consistently 80 – 100 doses each time, including 40 – 50 first doses.”
These on-location pop-ups are also allowing the immunizers to reach people they would not otherwise.
"There are members of our vulnerable population who sleep outside nearby,” said Morgan. “They’ve developed a bit of a comfort zone with us. We spend time talking to them. There are many who got their first doses there a few weeks ago and we were able to do their second doses recently.”
The team also has snacks and drinks on hand for people who need a little extra help.
“We met one individual who had severe mental health challenges, and had made a number of trips to other clinics but wasn’t able to get vaccinated,” said Morgan. “We were able to give them the shot just sitting on the grass while we were talking to them, so that was huge. Because they developed that bond with us, they came to one of our other clinics and got their second dose.”
“Another individual we met talked to us about their addictions issues,” continued Morgan. “They needed help and wanted help, but couldn’t find their social worker. We were able to contact mobile crisis and set up an appointment. We gave them something to eat and gave them their first dose of COVID vaccine. It was a lot more than just immunizing that day.”
The RV has also attracted some attention, because it’s being used for something other than its normal purpose.
“We had this young person who was a new Canadian come over and ask if we were the vaccine camp,” Morgan recalled. “That was their perception with the RV. And then they were able to get their first dose, because they were 11, turning 12 later this year.”
“We do a lot of talking and encouraging,” she added. “Going to people in their own community really gives us the chance to meet them in a comfortable place and try to address their questions and concerns.”
