Eat, drink and be vaccinated in Guelph's downtown dining district Friday

People can grab a bite to eat, maybe a pint and also get their COVID-19 vaccine in Guelph's downtown dining district Friday evening.

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is hosting a pop-up vaccination clinic in the dining district, which is shut down to vehicular traffic Friday to Sunday.

The clinic will run from 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the intersection of Wyndham and Macdonell streets, and anyone who needs a first or second dose can stop by without an appointment, officials said.

Dr. Nicola Mercer, the medical officer of health, called the pop-up "an exciting opportunity."

"I would encourage anyone who is eligible to get the vaccine to come and get either their first or second dose and support the local businesses while they're downtown," Mercer said in a release.

"A healthy economy depends on a healthy community. By getting the COVID-19 vaccine, you are protecting yourself and those around you and ensuring that we can continue to shop and dine safely."

The health unit reported two new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.

There were 81.4 per cent of eligible people, aged 12 and up, who have received at least one dose of the vaccine from Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health as of Thursday and 70 per cent of people had both doses.

Public health has announced some mass vaccination clinics will wind down in the coming weeks as officials try different ways to reach people who remain unvaccinated. Rita Isley, director of community health and chief nursing officer, said in the release that staff will "target under-vaccinated regions and demographics within the region to ensure every single person has the chance to receive two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine."