driving rural access to vaccines project
The Driving Rural Access to Vaccines Project came to an end on March 31, 2023. To learn more about the project, see below.
Driving Rural Access to Vaccines (DRAV) aimed to increase access to vaccines for rural Albertans by providing free transportation for vaccine-specific appointments. Anyone 18 years of age or older who was in need of transportation to a vaccination appointment could access the program free of charge. Drive Happiness will continue to provide transportation to vaccine appointments for clients for a fee.
Eligibility
Anyone 18 years of age or older who is in need of transportation to a vaccination appointment.
Municipalities we operateD in:
- Grande Prairie
- County of Grande Prairie No. 1
- Fort McMurray
PARTNERSHIPS
In partnership with government, community organizations, and volunteers, DRAV addresses barriers to transportation in rural communities and finds local solutions for individual circumstances.
Public Health Agency of Canada
The DRAV program is made possible by funding provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF). The IPF supports community-based efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake among Canadians, address vaccine misinformation and disinformation, and reduce vaccine-preventable disease.
The Public Health Agency of Canada is the official funder of the DRAV program.
VOLUNTEER ALBERTA
DRAV has an official partnership agreement with Volunteer Alberta, building and mobilizing existing volunteer networks to move the project forward.
MEDIA KIT FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
It is important to find evidence-based information from trustworthy sources when it comes to your health! Talk to your healthcare provider and look at reputable sources.
– Visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s website
– Visit Alberta Health Services COVID-19 information for Albertans
– For health advice or information, call Health Link 24/7 by dialing 811 or visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
No, the rides are for any vaccines of your choice! For example, you may book a DRAV ride to get your annual flu shot.
Drive Happiness is a non-profit organization that manages the DRAV program.
Through grant funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Drive Happiness was able to expand to offer the DRAV program, which offers folks in Northwestern Alberta free transportation to vaccine-specific appointments. The DRAV program is funded until March 2023.
Drive Happiness started with the purpose of assisting seniors (aged 65 or older) in maintaining an independent lifestyle that enables them to remain in their own homes through the Seniors Assisted Transportation Program. The program requires an affordable fee for service without an end date. The rides are not restricted to vaccine appointments, and can be used for purposes like grocery shopping or visiting a loved one.
DRAV currently operates in the municipalities of Grande Prairie and the County of Grande Prairie No. 1.
All ride requests will be processed within one business day. We ask that individuals book a ride at least 3 business days before their vaccine appointment.