“This was the result of a tremendous amount of advocacy work from MNA’s health department and we want to thank Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services for recognizing the importance of this clinic for our communities,”
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Canada’s first Métis-led COVID-19 vaccine clinic is opening in Edmonton beginning this weekend.
The clinic, run by the Métis Nation of Alberta, will offer 1,800 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic located at the the Edmonton Inn and Conference Centre, located at 11834 Kingsway Avenue N.W., and will run from Saturday March 27th to Tuesday March 30th.
The clinic will operate in partnership with Alberta Health Services (AHS) and appointments will be available from 9 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. each day for first doses of the vaccine. The clinic is not currently booking second doses at this time.
Métis, First Nations, or Inuit in Alberta born in 1971 or earlier will be able to book online through the Métis Nation of Alberta website.
“This was the result of a tremendous amount of advocacy work from MNA’s health department and we want to thank Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services for recognizing the importance of this clinic for our communities,” said Audrey Poitras, president of the Métis Nation of Alberta in a news release.
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“We, as Métis people, need to see ourselves reflected in the healthcare we receive, and we’re happy to be able to provide this Métis led vaccine clinic with the support of AHS.”
Poitras will receive her first does of the COVID-19 vaccine at the clinic on Sunday.
Reagan Bartel, director of health for the Métis Nation of Alberta said in the release they are the best positioned to provide a safe space to receive the vaccine.
“We have been advocating for equitable vaccine access for Métis Albertans at all levels of government and we are glad to be working with AHS on this first-of-its-kind clinic,” Bartel said.
“Our health research shows we have heightened health risks in our community so we will continue to push for more equitable access across the province.”
