Ottawans waiting hours in line to secure shots at COVID-19 pop-up vaccination clinics

Vaccines at COVID-19 pop-up clinics, designed to help immunize vulnerable populations in high-risk areas, are going very quickly.

The second pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic held at the Overbrook Community Centre this week saw all available time slots accounted for more than an hour before the clinic was even set to open.

The clinic is administering 500 doses of COVID-19 vaccine throughout the day, Thursday, May 6, and was only available to Overbrook residents.

Dozens of people resorted to waiting in line at the clinic in the early morning hours to secure their spot. City staff members walked through the line, handing out wristbands and cards with a specified time so that residents could return later in the day. Officials at the clinic confirmed to CityNews Ottawa that all slots were filled shortly before 8 a.m.

Staff tell me the clinic is now all booked up for the day. However, the vast majority in line were able to secure an appointment for their shot. #ottnews pic.twitter.com/x5BMd8yLw3

— Alex Goudge (@AlexGoudge) May 6, 2021

Modupe was one of the many residents able to secure her appointment after waiting in line since 5:30 a.m. She hadn't tried to book a vaccine until Thursday, but decided to make the attempt after seeing social media post from her city councillor Rawlson King.

“Since it's in my neighbourhood now, then I decided to come down to get it,” she told CityNews.

Another pop-up clinic is happening Friday at the AMA Community Centre, for residents 18 and up in five high-risk areas indentified by Ottawa Public Health.

No Appointment Needed! Drop-In Vaccination Clinic today & Friday @ the AMA Community Centre (1216 Hunt Club). This vaccine clinic is for anyone 18+ in the specific neighbourhoods listed, incl. Hunt Club Eastern-Western Community in River Ward. Details in the poster. @HuntClubCA pic.twitter.com/N8XuM4gFRB

— Riley Brockington (@RiverWardRiley) May 5, 2021