‘It’s very upsetting’: Protesters target New Westminster COVID-19 vaccine clinic

A doctor working at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic says staff and people coming to get their shots were targeted by protesters in New Westminster, calling the experience disheartening and disappointing for already stressed-out healthcare workers.

Dr. Kathleen Ross, a family physician, says a lot of the healthcare workers staffing these clinics are doing so on top of working their full-time jobs. And nearly two years into the pandemic — they are already exhausted.

“It is really disheartening. It was disheartening and disappointing for all the health care workers that are here at the vaccine clinic today, trying to help people protect themselves in the way that they would like to be protected, and protesters are standing in the way and disrupting this process,” she said.

“It truly is a type of moral injury. We are doing our very best to help our population get protected and to try and see an end to this pandemic. No one wants to be under these restrictions anymore. I understand. But we’re out there every day. Standing on the front line, trying to help people in the best way we know how. This is super disappointing, disheartening and morally injuring for health care workers trying to make a difference.”

Ross says a small crowd showed up in front of the immunization clinic at the Anvil Centre on Columbia Street, around noon on Thursday. They were yelling, encouraging passersby to honk, and spreading misinformation about the vaccine.

“At several points [they were]  making derogatory comments to our staff as they were returning to the building. One staff member was told she was disgusting for coming into the building. It’s very upsetting.”

Healthcare workers at the clinic were told to hide their IDs as they enter the building in order to avoid harassment by the protesters. "It truly is a moral injury. We are trying to see an end to this pandemic, we're out there everyday just trying to help" @CityNewsVAN #bcpoli https://t.co/PxSb8tIqWc

— Tarnjit Kaur Parmar (@Tarnjitkparmar) February 4, 2022

Nurses and doctors were told to hide their ID badges, according to Ross.

“That’s a piece of advice that we give to our vaccines staff when there are protesters in the mix. So that they can hopefully try and avoid being targeted, but it’s not always possible. Those that are wearing scrubs or greens, coming into the clinic, it’s fairly obvious what we do for a living.”

In November of 2021, the province introduced “bubble zone” legislation, which establishes a 20 metre perimeter around schools, health-care facilities and COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites.

“Within an access zone, it will be an offence to impede access to the facility, disrupt services or act in a way that could reasonably be expected to cause service users or providers concern for their physical or mental safety,” the province said at the time.

“The act will give police the power to arrest or issue tickets to anyone impeding access to a facility, disrupting services or intimidating or attempting to intimidate an individual within access zones. In addition, courts will be able to issue an injunction to prevent people from contravening the act.”

A spokesperson for the health authority, in a statement, said “Fraser Health’s clinic operations were not impacted by these demonstrators.” They confirmed police were aware and on-site.

Ross says she did see police outside the vaccine clinic Thursday. CityNews has reached out to the New Westminister Police Department to see if any enforcement action was taken.

Related stories: 

• ‘Shameful’: Anti-vaccine protesters enter Salmon Arm schools, triggering ‘hold and secure’

• Anti-vaccine protest outside Abbotsford school prompts mother’s concerns

• ‘They should be ashamed of themselves’: Protesters target B.C. hospitals disrupting patients, staff

• B.C. cancer patients forced to walk through a mob of protesters to get to chemo appointments

The legislation came after anti-vaccine protests outside of hospitals in several B.C. cities last year. Schools in the Interior and the Fraser Valley were also targeted.

“Health-care workers, children and teachers deserve to feel safe when they go to work or school but we’ve seen a number of protests recently where they’ve been the target of anger and abuse. This new measure will allow law enforcement to act if an individual or group continues to put others at risk through their thoughtless and selfish actions,” Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said at the time.

Ross says she wants anyone who is set t get their first, second or booster shot to know the frontline staff aren’t going anywhere.

“Despite the ongoing harassment and protests that are out there, we are here for you, to protect you with your vaccination. Please get your boosters. Come in, we’ll be here for you no matter what.”