(Supplied by Siksika Health Services)

By Karsen Marczuk/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Siksika Nation launches rural vaccine clinic for neighbouring counties

May 26, 2021 | 3:27 PM

SIKSIKA NATION, AB- Rural Albertans now have the option to get a vaccine closer to home.

The Siksika Nation announced on Tuesday that they will begin to deliver COVID-19 immunization services to rural residents in line with provincial vaccine roll-out, in the municipalities of Wheatland County, Vulcan County, and Newell County.

The Siksika Rural Vaccine Clinic is intended to strengthen Alberta’s COVID-19 vaccine roll-out strategy by addressing gaps in service access for Albertans, in particular rural residents.

“It is my great honour, on behalf of Siksika Nation, to offer an invitation to our surrounding communities to receive COVID-19 immunization in Siksika,” says Nioksskaistamik Ouray Crowfoot, Cheif of Siksika First Nation. “Now is the time for us to come together in the spirit of caring and protecting one another, to get through this pandemic together. Our communities do not exist in isolation; we are interconnected. Extending care and health services to our non-Indigenous neighbours is nothing new to Siksika; this vaccine clinic is just one of many examples.”

Siksika Health Services has been leading the immunization response for rural residents since January 1, 2021. Siksika Nation is pleased to offer the clinic to rural Albertans as an accessible, closer-to-home vaccine location.

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“Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have been exceedingly proud and humbled by the immense amount of work taken on by Siksika Nation to prevent, prepare and respond to the spread of COVID-19 within their community,” explained Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services. “This vaccination clinic demonstrates that same leadership, partnership and vision that Siksika has shown through their extensive and effective range of health services offered throughout the pandemic. Indigenous Services Canada is proud to support Siksika Nation in their efforts to provide an opportunity for their neighbours to receive a vaccine.”

The clinic will be providing first doses of Moderna vaccine to adults born in 2003 or earlier and Pfizer vaccine to youths born in 2004 to 2009. Residents from Siksika Nation’s neighbouring municipalities of Strathmore Gleichen, Wheatland County, Vulcan County and Newell County can book an appointment for their shot.

“I want to commend the Siksika Nation, including Chief Ouray Crowfoot and the Council, for their continued leadership in our fight against COVID-19,” says Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health. “Throughout the pandemic, they have supported the public health guidance and been a source for consistent, credible information to their members. By opening their rural vaccine clinic up to non-Indigenous residents from neighbouring municipalities, they provide another option to help get as many Albertans vaccinated as possible. Thank you for reminding us that we are all in this together, and we will only get through this pandemic by working together.”

Immunizations for rural Albertans are available by appointment only. To book your appointment, visit http://siksikahealth.com/rural-vaccine-clinic/ or call 403-734-5706.

Siksika Nation members can access the clinic on a walk-in basis.

The clinic is located at the Siksika Deerfoot Sportsplex and runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday to Friday.