Vehicles crowd outside of the drive-thru immunization clinic just north of Prince Albert on Saturday morning. Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D’Andrea

COVID-19 vaccines

Prince Albert’s first COVID-19 immunization clinic underway; other clinics announced

Apr 3, 2021 | 11:50 AM

Even before it was officially open, there were over 200 vehicles waiting to go through the 55+ drive-thru COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Saturday morning just north of Prince Albert.

With fifteen minutes until the clinic was operational at 9 a.m., vehicles took up over 1.5 km of road space as they waited to get into the drive-thru at Thorpe Industries Warehouse. Cars and trucks clogged up all of Pine Street and wrapped around to Central Avenue N.

One of those waiting for a shot was Don Filteau. He listed a number of reasons why he wanted to get the vaccine on the first day, but no more important than he wanted to be a really good grandfather.

“My daughter is expecting at any time, so I’d like to go see my grandson or granddaughter,” Filteau said. “And I work for the school board, I drive the school bus, so I’m around so many kids.

Filteau has also seen first-hand what the virus can do, as his wife is still dealing with the side effects of COVID-19 and several of his friends have succumbed to the illness. When asked if he believed everybody should get the vaccine, Filteau quickly nodded his head.

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“I do, especially after what my wife’s gone through,” Filteau said. “I think it’s really important. I’ve had some friends pass away from it. It’s not a joke. I think it’s very serious.”

Vehicles wrap around the corner of Pine Street and Central Ave. N, waiting for their COVID-19 vaccine at the drive-thru clinic. (Submitted photo/Joe Bexson)

The Prince Albert drive-thru clinic will run until Wednesday.

Later on Saturday morning, the Saskatchewan Health Authority announced 10 drive-thru or walk-thru immunization clinics throughout the province will open in the coming days.

Also opening Saturday are clinics in North Battleford, Regina and Swift Current, and Weyburn. A drive-thru clinic will start in Lloydminster on Sunday. Saskatoon will have an immunization clinic on Monday. Moose Jaw will have a walk-thru clinic on Wednesday and a drive-thru clinic on Friday. Yorkton will host a drive-thru clinic on Tuesday.

For a complete list of times and locations of immunization clinics, click here.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW