Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK

Interior Health is holding a COVID-19 immunization clinic today in Kelowna's Rutland neighbourhood as the community has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the region.

The clinic will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. today, May 26, at Rutland Centennial Park.

People who live or work in Rutland will be able to walk up, register and receive a COVID-19 vaccine, according to an Interior Health news release.

The vaccines are available to those who have not already received one and who are born in 2009 or earlier.

No advance appointments are necessary for this clinic, Interior Health said. Rutland residents who are not able to attend the neighbourhood clinic can still receive a vaccine locally.

The clinic is in partnership with the City of Kelowna, the Uptown Rutland Business Association and the Rutland Residents Association.

Last week, the health authority's chief medical officer Dr. Albert de Villiers announced the special vaccination event as the neighbourhood has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the region, but didn't give details about the clinic at the time.

"The primary notification process on the clinic, given it is local to Rutland, is happening directly to targeted residents (including) flyers, invites through the neighbourhood association, and social media through partners. The PSA is secondary as an added way to let local people know and proactively answer questions. This is another approach to targeting specific neighbourhoods with convenient, low-barrier options to get immunized against COVID-19," according to a statement from the health authority.

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The Rutland vaccination rate has grown from 28 per cent to 45 per cent but the average vaccination rate in the health region is more than 50 per cent, de Villiers said.

Interior Health also has two nearby immunization clinics at Rutland Centennial Hall, offering appointments five days per week, Monday to Friday and at Trinity Hall, offering vaccine appointments seven days a week.

There are three ways to register and schedule a COVID-19 vaccine:

1. Online by visiting the provincial website
2. By phone at 1-833-838-2323
3. In person at a Service B.C. office

Visit Interior Health's website here for a list of all vaccination clinics and other resources around COVID-19.

— This story was updated at 1:49 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, 2021 to include comment from Interior Health.

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