Smooth sailing for day one of the COVID-19 vaccination center at Tower Mall in Vancouver

The site is expected to vaccinate 2,400 people through next Tuesday and may remain open when more doses become available

VANCOUVER – Under a steady March drizzle, a similar steady parade of cars moved into tents in the Tower Mall parking lot along Mill Plain Blvd in Vancouver. They rolled down the windows, rolled up their sleeves, and took a small step back to what they hope it will get back to normal.

Safeway pharmacist Amanda Yu delivers a dose of vaccine to Charley Hays of La Center at the Tower Mall vaccination station on Friday. Photo by Mike Schultz

“I feel great man,” said Vancouver-based Dola Anthony Conley after receiving his first dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. “You know, I’ll take care of the virus, right? That’s what it’s about. “

Up to 600 people a day are expected at Tower Mall, Clark County’s first locally run mass vaccination clinic, through next Tuesday, which is closed on Sunday.

As more vaccines become available, those dates would likely be extended, said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Health Officer.

Clark County’s Health Officer Dr. Alan Melnick, speaking at the Tower Mall vaccination center on Friday. Photo by Mike Schultz

“As you can see, it’s a great partnership between the City of Vancouver, Safeway and (and) Clark County Public Health,” said Melnick. “The vaccine comes from the federal vaccination program through the pharmacies.”

That said, Melnick noted that the cans being used at the Tower Mall site, in addition to the first 14,140 cans sent to Clark County by the state this week, is a number the county hopes isn’t is just a one time thing.

These doses went to health care providers like Legacy, PeaceHealth Southwest, SeaMar Clinics, The Vancouver Clinic, and others, in addition to the Vancouver Housing Authority and some mobile vaccination efforts in adult family homes and long-term care facilities.

Drivers park for 20 minutes after receiving a dose of COVID-19 vaccine to ensure they do not develop allergic reactions. Photo by Mike Schultz

At one point, the county had over 37,000 people on a waiting list to be notified when they could schedule a vaccine dose. That number has dropped to around 20,000, but enough of them didn’t respond when they were offered a spot on the Tower Mall grounds that opened appointments to the general public – assuming you’re eligible at the current stages of vaccination.

“We’re also keeping some slots ready for communities that are particularly hard hit by the pandemic,” Melnick said. “We are working with our partners to make appointments for BIPOC employees who also meet the admission criteria.”

Many of the people who drove up to get their first shot said they had waited a while, often hoping for a spot on the Clark County Fairgrounds that hadn’t made first cans in a few weeks, or one Callback from their health care provider.

“You know, we checked the websites every morning. And just nothing, ”said Charley Hays, 69, of La Center. “You know, you couldn’t register, can’t do that, can’t do that until Wednesday. And then things started to work. “

In another sign that vaccine supplies are finally starting to meet demand, Hays said he was given a seat at Tower Mall on Wednesday and received a call from the Vancouver Clinic on Thursday saying they could bring him in . but it shows that the residue is gradually dissolving.

“I had friends who went to the SeaMar clinic on the battlefield, queued and waited, then got their appointment and went back later,” Hays said. “I was patient. I knew it was coming. “

Cars lined up outside the Tower Mall building in central Vancouver with local residents looking for a dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Photo by Mike Schultz

For Conley, the vaccine dose is at least the first step to hopefully getting back to normal, which for many feels like a wasted year.

“It was hard for this family because, you know, my mother-in-law … we can’t go there because of her age and her things,” he said. “The grandchildren have to keep them separate too. But yeah, we did it. We’ll get through. Everyone gets their recordings and hopefully we’ll get back to normal days. “

Hays said the vaccine is a hopeful thing, but is it a return to normal is coming?

“I will withhold my answer for this one.”