Up to 5,000 Albertans can receive their first dose of Pfizer vaccine without an appointment on June 5 and June 6 at the Village Square Leisure Centre in Calgary, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

The community-led drop-in clinic aims to reduce barriers, increase uptake and address vaccine hesitancy in northeast Calgary. Materials will be available in more than 70 languages.

The temporary clinic is a partnership between the Government of Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary East Newcomers Collaborative, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, community family physicians, the Calgary Primary Care Network, the Mosaic Primary Care Network, the University of Calgary and the City of Calgary.

“More than 63 per cent of eligible Albertans have received a first dose of vaccine, an important milestone as we safely open for summer and drive down the spread of COVID-19. As we open up second doses, first doses remain a priority and I hope this low-barrier outreach clinic will encourage those who haven’t yet received a first dose to do so.”

Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health

“I am pleased Alberta’s government and community partners are ensuring residents in hard hit northeast Calgary have greater access to COVID-19 immunizations. This new opportunity to receive a vaccine is a major step towards removing barriers that have held many people back from better protecting themselves and their loved ones.”

Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Community and Social Services and MLA for Calgary-North East

“Eliminating barriers through walk-in, first language services is very important. We haven't found vaccine hesitancy to be the reason for not getting vaccinated. Social services agencies, community groups, faith-based groups, AHS and government have worked together tirelessly to ensure we work collaboratively, share information, identify opportunities to increase access to vaccination and help guide the community through the pandemic.”

Anila Lee Yuen, chair, Calgary East Zone Newcomers Collaborative

“There’s a certain percentage of the population who have difficulty accessing the existing vaccination clinics, whether there’s a language barrier, digital literacy challenges or because they are working three jobs and are too busy to attend an appointment. This walk-in clinic will meet people’s needs by offering extended hours and vaccination on a first-come, first-served basis.”

Dr. Annalee Coakley, Mosaic Primary Care Network

“Helping to support and collaborate on new and innovative clinic models will help all the partner groups achieve the goal of having all Albertans who want to be vaccinated get vaccinated.”

Nicholas Thain, senior operating officer, Alberta Health Services

“I have advocated for easier access to vaccines because only widespread vaccination will allow us to get back to weddings, birthdays, festivals, and all the in-person events that make life special. This clinic will bring us one step closer, and we need more of them.”

George ChahalWard 5 councillor, City of Calgary

The drop-in clinic is the latest initiative to offer targeted immunizations in an attempt to reduce access barriers for residents of northeast Calgary.

Currently, two AHS clinics open seven days a week are offering COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment in northeast Calgary. Since opening in March, these two locations have delivered more than 85,000 vaccinations. A third AHS clinic, Deerfoot North Immunization drive-thru at 911 32 Avenue NE, opens on June 7.

The Genesis Centre and an AHS site at Northgate Village Mall are currently providing appointment-based immunization 12 hours a day.

Calgarians who are clients of the East Calgary Health Centre are being offered on-site immunization by appointment. Community physicians have also been offering vaccination at locations including the Mosaic Refugee Health Clinic.

Health officials are also working with other partners across the province to develop temporary clinics or other tools to reduce barriers and increase vaccine uptake. Additional information will be shared in the coming weeks.

Alberta’s government is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by protecting lives and livelihoods with precise measures to bend the curve, sustain small businesses and protect Alberta’s health-care system.

Quick facts

  • No appointments are necessary for Albertans who want to receive a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at Village Square Leisure Centre, 2623 56 Street NE, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on June 5 and June 6. Organizers hope to vaccinate up to 5,000 Albertans over two days.
  • Albertans interested in attending are asked to bring identification and their Alberta Health Care card, if they have one.
  • Community vaccination rates are updated daily in an interactive online map.