Pop-up clinic offers third dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Waterloo

Waterloo region has partnered with the province and the Canadian Red Cross to provide an additional 1,400 third dose vaccine appointments through a new pop-up clinic.

The clinic at 99 Regina Street South in Waterloo will run from Jan. 2 to Jan. 8 and is by appointment only.

Rick Jones, a Kitchener high school teacher and local farmer, was able to secure an appointment on Sunday. He was among dozens seen visiting the clinic on its first day.

"It's a bit of a relief It's good to get the third shot," he said, noting the possibility of seeing students in-person this week following the holiday break.

Jones said he tried to book an appointment for himself and his wife several times before the pop-up, but had no luck.

"I tried many times and it was booked like way off into late January or whatever and then this thing popped up and I booked," he said.

Demand for third dose appointments has been high in Waterloo region since the province expanded appointments to those 18 and older last month.

"The CanadianRedCrossis pleased to support the Region of Waterloo and provide additional vaccination appointments in the community," said Tanya Elliott, vice-presidentOntario at the CanadianRedCross, in a new release last week.

"TheRedCrosscontinues to build its capacity to increase access to the COVID-19 vaccine across Ontario," Elliott added.

The region previously launched a similar pop-up at 99 Regina Street South in June 2021.