Canadian truckers struggling to get vaccinated

CALGARY (CityNews) — One trucker from Alberta has been trying to book a vaccine appointment for months now without any luck and is pointing to walk-in clinics south of the border wondering why Alberta can’t do the same.

“Since the vaccine came out, I have been trying so hard to get my vaccine because I am on the road so much, it’s very hard, I can’t book an appointment because it’s two to three weeks,” said Maryann Tomic. “But they are offering walk-in clinics all over the states, there is no appointment necessary.”

Recently, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced that truckers will be able to get vaccinated in Montana without an appointment, from May 10 to May 23, yet truckers like Tomic say, that’s off her route.

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She says she even called AHS to request an appointment.

“When I said I was an essential worker, I drive a truck for a living, it didn’t matter, they said try again. Try to make an appointment. That’s all I got… its frustrating.”

Tomic says she is not the only one struggling to get vaccinated, her trucker friends and many essential workers around her are experiencing the same thing, due to hectic schedules.

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But now, she has a plan.

“Crossing the border, the risk is so high for me to bring stuff home. This time I am going to Texas so, on-route, I am going to try to find a location that has these open drive-up or walk-in clinics set up for anybody so I am going to try to get it there.”