Steven Fels said he was apprehensive about getting his first COVID-19 vaccination after seeing the debate about its safety online.
Even though most Canadians are getting safely vaccinated, the controversy online raised questions in his mind, he said.
But Fels came around with the arrival of provincial restrictions to access many indoor venues, showing up to get his first dose at the GO-VAXX bus clinic at Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket yesterday afternoon.
“Whether you like it or not, if you want to move around in the world, if you have a real job, if you want to jump on a plane, then you have to play ball,” he said. “That’s what I’m doing.”
COVID-19 restrictions are spurring some reluctant people to get the vaccine, with the province instituting a vaccine verification system Sept. 22. The private sector is also bringing in its own restrictions, with some non-essential businesses, sports leagues, and workplaces requiring proof of full vaccination.
Juan Aldarez got his second vaccination dose yesterday, Sept. 28, at the mobile clinic. He said he had a confirmed positive COVID-19 test in November, and so did not think he needed to get the vaccine. But with proof of full vaccination required to see his son play hockey, he decided to act.
“That was a motivator,” he said. “It is a part of our normalcy.”
The two provincial GO-VAXX buses have travelled across the province, including York Region, to provide convenient access to vaccines. York Region has also been running its own mobile pop-up clinics to provide access to different areas.
Newmarket Co-Operative Housing arranged for the bus to visit Upper Canada Mall. Coordinator Kolleen McCaughan said more than 140 people got vaccinated at the clinic that day.
“Especially now that it’s a mandate, it’s a really important thing,” she said of having a mobile clinic in the area.
Grade 8 student Jayden Deshong got his first dose, adding his family was waiting for more information about how the vaccine would impact youth but was reassured as time went by.
“We were waiting to see what it could do,” he said. “We realized it was time to do our part.”
York Region medical officer of health Dr. Karim Kurji has said although a bump from the provincial announcement of a vaccine verification system has not lasted, the region is still consistently vaccinating about 5,000 new people each week.
But some clinics lately have experienced pushback. York Region said it is exploring increased security as its pop-up clinics due to increased abusive language directed at staff, specifically identified at a clinic at the farmers market in Thornhill.
“We understand these times are challenging, and a combination of pandemic fatigue and being anxious to receive a vaccine adds to the frustration,” director of corporate communications Patrick Casey said. “We are hearing in our clinics that residents sometimes feel like they 'have to' get the vaccine, likely as a result of the recent vaccination requirement program implemented by the province."
But for those who are eager, Aldarez said getting a COVID-19 vaccine right now is a smooth process.
"This was super convenient," he said of the bus clinic. "They're available, and so easily for anyone who wants to get a shot."
Fels said besides a desire to meet vaccine requirements, he did not want to risk passing COVID-19 to his parents.
“They’re a little bit older. There are underlying health issues,” he said. “The last thing I would ever want it to be the reason for something to happen.”
