The COVID-19 vaccine has arrived on Christian Island.
Beausoleil First Nation (BFN) band members are currently getting the needle as part of a three-day campaign to vaccinate on-reserve and off-reserve citizens against the deadly virus.
The COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine arrived from Toronto via helicopter and was delivered to Christian Island’s helicopter pad where it was welcomed to the community upon arrival by elder Neil Monague.
“Days 1 & 2 are dedicated to on-reserve members and staff,” BFN stated in a notice to band members. “Day 3 is dedicated to off-reserve members.”
Held at the Beausoleil Recreation Centre, the clinic runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day.
On Friday morning, Chief Guy Monague and council were slated to be among the first group receiving the vaccine followed by dialysis patients and drivers and then health centre staff and EMS (emergency medical services) personnel.
In the afternoon, those born between 1900 and 1966 are up, followed by those born from 1967 to 1977.
On Saturday, BFN staff and other dialysis patients and drivers will receive the vaccine in the morning followed in the afternoon by those born between 1978 and 2005 with Sunday dedicated to members, who live off-reserve.
Members must pre-register for the vaccine via a consent form.
“The Beausoleil Family Health Centre has stated only those that have submitted their consent form will receive the vaccine, there are no drop-in appointments,” the statement noted.
