In the fight against COVID-19, it is critical that as many Canadians as possible get and encourage COVID-19 vaccination program. To close the gap among populations with lower vaccine uptake, the Government of Canada is promoting community-based projects to encourage every Canadian who wants a vaccine can get one.
Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, announced three new projects receiving funding through the Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF) to support vaccination efforts across Canada. These community-based projects will support populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 make informed vaccination choices by crowding out misinformation and providing culturally relevant and science-based information.
Alberta International Medical Graduates Association will receive funding to create multi-lingual educational supports, such as community-based forums, video resources, podcasts, on-site supports at pop-up clinics and workplace educational sessions, to ensure newcomers to Canada have up-to-date and credible vaccine information in their preferred language.
Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre Inc. will receive funding to support COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Winnipeg’s urban Indigenous population by providing culturally responsive and evidence-based vaccination information in order to reduce misinformation and promote the importance of vaccinating against COVID-19.
Refugee 613 will receive funding to research, develop, and test evidence-based strategies to counter the impact of online COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on newcomers to Canada and racialized audiences. Research outcomes will be shared on a national scale with stakeholder groups and organizations working to address barriers and overcome vaccine hesitancy among newcomers to Canada.
The Government of Canada is working closely with experts, provinces and territories, and other partners to encourage vaccine confidence and better understand the barriers people may face to getting vaccinated. The IPF is one tool to help people in Canada make informed vaccine choices through community mobilization and public outreach.
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