Today, Vancouver Coastal Health started targeting early COVID-19 vaccination clinics for grocery workers at select stores.

The announcement comes after months of advocacy from UFCW 1518. In January, the union called on the BC government to vaccinate grocery and retail workers early as vaccine doses became more available.

The union has also called on the government to guarantee paid leave for workers to receive vaccines, so no worker needs to worry about losing pay when getting a life-saving vaccine. In April, the government granted this request, ensuring 3 hours of paid leave and job-protected leave for vaccine appointments.

Vancouver Coastal Health will be administering doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to workers over the age of 30 (born in 1991 and earlier) at targeted workplaces in the Lower Mainland.

Stores that have been selected for early vaccination will inform their employees about everything they need to know to get vaccinated early. In the meantime, all workers who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine should register for their vaccination at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register.