Still need a first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine? Wish that the vaccine clinic will come to you? Do you live or work in the downtown core? Then good news, because the stars are aligning for you this Friday night! Wellington-Dufferin-Gulph Public Health will establish a pop-up clinic at the closed intersection of Macdonell and Wyndham Streets on Friday for anyone to stop by and get one of their two COVID vaccine shots.

“This is an exciting opportunity for people to get a vaccine while also enjoying the atmosphere downtown Guelph has to offer,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Nicola Mercer in a statement. “I would encourage anyone who is eligible to get the vaccine to come and get either their first or second dose and support the local businesses while they’re downtown. A healthy economy depends on a healthy community.”

This latest push comes at a pivotal time for the vaccine rollout. As of Wednesday, more than 80 per cent of the eligible population (people aged 12 and over) in the region have received one dose of a vaccine, while almost 70 per cent have received both doses. On Tuesday, it was announced that Guelph itself had achieved the milestone of having 75 per cent of the eligible population fully vaccinated, while almost 87 per cent of people have received one dose.

The pop-up clinic also represents a more directed vaccination campaign. Next week, WDG Public Health and their partners will begin to wind down their mass vaccination clinics starting with the one at the University Centre at the University of Guelph on August 6. The clinics at the Alder Arena in Orangeville, the Centre-Wellington Community Sportsplex in Fergus, and the West End Recreation Centre here in Guelph are scheduled to close on August 20.

“This progress is an impressive testament to all of our efforts to end this pandemic. Ensuring as many residents as possible as protected against COVID-19 is very important as we proceed through every step of reopening,” said Rita Isley, Director of Community Health and Chief Nursing Officer. “Public Health will continue to target under-vaccinated regions and demographics within the region to ensure every single person has the chance to receive two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.”

On Wednesday, there was just one new case of COVID-19 in the region, and less than two dozen active cases, including 17 in Guelph. You can get any shot of a vaccine anytime by showing up at any vaccine clinic run by Public Health with no appointment or registration necessary.