Registered nurse Alice Bird talks to a patient at PAGC's mass immunization clinic. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Getting the jab

Inside Prince Albert Grand Council’s new mass immunization clinic

Apr 1, 2021 | 6:10 PM

Staff at Prince Albert Grand Council’s (PAGC) mass-immunization clinic in P.A. are reporting a successful first day.

Located on-reserve at Senator Allen Bird Memorial Centre, all 252 appointments on Thursday booked up quickly.

“I think it’s been a very good day,” said Shirley Woods, PAGC Director of Health and Social Development.

She explained things were “a little chaotic” as staff got used to their new rolls first thing Thursday morning, but everything was soon running smoothly and efficiently.

Prince Albert Grand Council Director of Health and Social Development Shirley Woods. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

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Although it’s open to everyone, PAGC Director of Health and Social Development Shirley Woods explained the clinic has a special focus on serving First Nations people.

“Prince Albert Grand Council has a lot of urban First Nations people,” she said. “So, we really want to be able to reach out to that group who may not be so comfortable going to some of our other health facilities.”

A sign greets visitors in the nine languages staff at the clinic speak. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

After they pass through screening, staff register patients at this station. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

The clinic, which is operated in partnership with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, offers translation in Cree and Dene. Smudging and transportation are available upon request.

A desire to combat vaccine hesitancy was one of the reasons PAGC wanted to open the site, Woods said.

“We wanted to have something that was culturally appropriate,” she said. “That we could provide as many different things that would help people feel comfortable and safe in moving forward with their vaccination.”

Six to seven people are delivering immunizations at the clinic at any given time. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

Registered nurse Alice Bird records information about a patient. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

The clinic is currently booking until April 20 and all spots are full. However, more days will be added as vaccines become available and Woods says they will continue to operate “as long as we need to.”

Vaccines at the PAGC mass immunization clinic are available based on SHA eligibility criteria. As of Friday, that will include residents 58 years of age and older and individuals 50 to 59 years of age living in the Northern Administrative District.

Vaccination at the clinic is by appointment only. To register, call PAGC Health and Social Development at 306-953-7283, email healthreception@pagc.net, call SHA at 1-833-727-5829 (1-833-SASK-VAX) or use the online booking tool.

All appointments at the clinic are currently booked, but more will open up as vaccine becomes available. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

The clinic has capacity to vaccinate 252 people per day. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

People wait after receiving the vaccine. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom