driving rural access to vaccines project
Driving Rural Access to Vaccines (DRAV) aims to increase access to vaccines for rural Albertans by providing free transportation for vaccine-specific appointments. Anyone 18 years of age or older who is in need of transportation to a vaccination appointment.
Eligibility
Anyone 18 years of age or older who is in need of transportation to a vaccination appointment.
Municipalities we operate in:
- Grande Prairie
- County of Grande Prairie No. 1
- Fort McMurray
Contact us now at 1-888-336-4503 to book your free ride to your vaccine-specific appointment.
Book a ride in 3 easy steps!
Step 1:
Contact us at 1-888-336-4503
Step 2:
Leave a voicemail to arrange your ride.
Provide us with your:
- Name
- Phone number
- Address for pickup/drop off
- Vaccine appointment details (eg. type of vaccine, dose, date and time of appointment etc.)
Step 3:
A Drive Happiness volunteer driver will pick you up and drop you off free of charge!
*Subject to volunteer availability.*
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.
We Are Seeking More Community Partners
DRAV is continuously looking for more community partners and volunteers in Northwestern Alberta, specifically in the municipalities of Grande Prairie and the County of Grande Prairie No. 1.
This includes:
- Community organizations and citizens who have existing networks in this area
- Folks who are looking to contribute local knowledge or volunteer to drive
- Folks who would like to share their experience or pathway to vaccine acceptance or refusal
For more information about volunteering with Drive Happiness: volunteer@drivehappiness.ca
For more information about DRAV, including how to get involved: DRAV@drivehappiness.ca
To book a ride for a vaccine-specific appointment please call 1-888-336-4503 and dial extension 0.
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.