Officials use wristbands to aid in Surrey vaccine rollout

Health officials plan to hand out wristbands to Surrey residents who line up for special clinics this week in a bid to smooth a COVID-19 vaccine rollout in that city recently marred by frustrating, and in some cases fruitless, lineups.

An extra 4,000 doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine are lined up for residents 18 and older at the quartet of special clinics. The clinics are meant to complement the ongoing appointment-based effort in Surrey and around the province, according to the provincial health ministry.

The first 1,000 bona fide Surrey residents, whose residency in the city will be confirmed by staff, to appear at each of the four clinics will receive a wristband and a same-day appointment, according to the ministry.

Adrian Dix, the health minister, said the immunization effort in Surrey is expanding rapidly. “We're making great progress, and we need to keep going,” Dix said.

The clinics are being held in partnership with the City of Surrey and Fraser Health.

Thousands of people turned up to pop-up clinics in Surrey last month, where many failed to receive shots because supplies did not match demand.

There were reports of angry confrontations between staff at those clinics and those who had waited for naught.

The upcoming clinics, all of which open at 8 a.m. and close at 7 p.m., include:

■ Monday, May 17, Bear Creek Park

■ Tuesday, May 18, Bear Creek Park

■ Saturday, May 22, Surrey Sport and Leisure

■ Sunday, May 23, Surrey Sport and Leisure