Fraser health mayors go head to head in COVID-19 vaccination competition

By Robyn Crawford

Posted June 9, 2021 10:40 pm.

DELTA (NEWS 1130) — A competition between communities in the Fraser Health region on who can get the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates is heating up.

In a video posted to Twitter, Delta Mayor George Harvie has challenged both Burnaby and Port Coquitlam’s mayors to a competition.

 

The goal is to see whose community can achieve the highest rate of COVID vaccinations.

“If Delta loses, which we won’t, I will personally invite both mayors to a lunch with refreshments from our local breweries Barnside and Four Winds.” said Harvie.

Port Coquitlam Mayor, Brad West responded by upping the ante.

“To sweeten the deal just a little bit, I’m also going to put up some of the finest Port Coquitlam beer that we have in our community as a little bit of a wager to raise the stakes just a bit more.”

Even though this competition is just between these three cities, Fraser Health started this campaign for all mayors in the region.

The Mayors Immunization Challenge was created to make a little friendly rivalry between communities, all in the name of getting as many people vaccinated as possible in the hard-hit region.

“Fraser Health has seen the highest case numbers in our province and it is all hands on deck as we work to provide COVID-19 vaccines to everyone in our region that wants one. As an interconnected region, vaccines are important whether you live in a larger city or a smaller community area,” said Dr. Victoria Lee, president and chief executive officer at Fraser Health.

West thinks anything to get people motivated to get vaccinated is a great idea.

“Anything that we can do to be creative that will reach even one person,” he said. “I think it’s worth it, we gotta meet people where they’re at, and if it’s putting a little hometown pride on the line and having a challenge with a neighboring community that convinces someone to get vaccinated then it’s a good thing.”

He adds that Poco, which is just over 70 per cent vaccinated with first doses, is ready for the challenge.

“Hey, anybody who wants to pick a challenge with Poco better be ready, we don’t fool around.”

On Wednesday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix, reported that 74.5 per cent of British Columbians 12 and older have received their first show.

“Clinics are operating at high capacity, welcoming thousands of people every day. Health authorities are also taking vaccines out into communities to further accelerate immunizations – whether through mobile clinics or other efforts like the Easy, Accessible, Same-day Immunization clinics in Fraser Health,” their joint statement says.

With files from Denise Wong

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