Burnaby's mayor is hoping his city will be the first community to reach herd immunity in Fraser Health.
The health authority has started a "friendly" challenge to race to community immunity. Mayors across the Fraser Health region are participating.
"Fraser Health is pleased to support this friendly community challenge to see the region be able to put the pandemic behind us, open businesses again and get back to doing the things we have had to sacrifice to respond to this pandemic," a statement reads.
The challenge will see which community can hit 70%, 75% and 80% vaccination targets first and which community ends up showing the most progress.
“This is a challenge I know we can all get behind," Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley said in the announcement.
"We’ve pulled together through so many tough times over the past year, but the finish line is in sight. Getting everyone vaccinated is the path to opening our communities, hugging our loved ones, celebrating life and building our economy.”
“Fraser Health has seen the highest case numbers in our province, and it is all hands on deck as we work to provide COVID-19 vaccines to everyone in our region that wants one," Fraser Health president and chief executive officer Dr. Victoria Lee added.
"As community leaders, they have the unique understanding of their local area needs and will greatly help us extend our reach as far as possible at this critical time."
The full list of participants is as follows:
- Mayor Henry Braun, Abbotsford
- Mayor John McEwen, Anmore
- Mayor Jamie Ross, Belcarra
- Mayor Mike Hurley, Burnaby
- Mayor Ken Popove, Chilliwack
- Mayor Richard Stewart, Coquitlam
- Mayor George V. Harvie, Delta
- Mayor Leo Facio, Harrison Hot Springs
- Mayor Peter Robb, Hope
- Mayor Sylvia Pranger, Kent
- Mayor Val van den Broek, City of Langley
- Mayor Jack Froese, Township of Langley
- Mayor Mike Morden, Maple Ridge
- Mayor Paul Horn, Mission
- Mayor Jonathan X. Coté, New Westminster
- Mayor Bill Dingwall, Pitt Meadows
- Mayor Brad West, Port Coquitlam
- Mayor Rob Vagramov, Port Moody
- Mayor Darryl Walker, White Rock
