Pinebush vaccination clinic says farewell
Posted Mar 30, 2022 08:00:00 PM.
Waterloo Region's largest COVID-19 vaccination clinic is closing its doors for good.
Wednesday marks the last day for the Pinebush clinic, and during its final team huddle, clinic leaders shared words of emotion and gratitude, followed by a traditional Indigenous closing ceremony.
Located at 66 Pinebush Road in Cambridge, it was once an old RONA building and last year, it transformed into a 100,000 square foot clinic to administer COVID-19 vaccines to local residents.
“It's bitter sweet,” said clinic manager Lisa Anstey. “It's been an incredible journey for the team. We learned we can serve our community and we can do it in a positive, supportive, and encouraging way. It's sad, a lot of great connections were made, some incredible memories, but we know we've done our part.”
The clinic started its operation at Grand River Hospital in December 2020, but later moved to the Pinebush building, which opened on March 22, 2021.
As of Wednesday morning, clinic staff had administered 333,903 total doses.
“We evolved based on the needs of the community,” added Anstey. “We've added sensory safe spaces, a mobility clinic, a hockey hub model, an Indigenous space, booths that give more privacy, and our wonderful Camp Pinebush.”
At its peak, Anstey confirmed the clinic had about 600 staff members, with upwards of 200 working at any given time.
On its busiest day, Pinebush serviced 3,421 people.
Anstey said closing the clinic is not only a sign of hope, but also the next phase of the pandemic, as well as our lives. With overall vaccination rates slowing, the region is shifting to an outreach model. Opportunities for immunization will continue via pop-clinics and the mobile vaccine bus.
“It's been an incredible experience during a very difficult time,” said Anstey. “I'm full of gratitude for what we were able to achieve.”
