Projects to crowd out misinformation, provide culturally relevant and science-based information
The federal government has announced three new projects receiving funding through the Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF) to support vaccination efforts across Canada.
These projects will crowd out misinformation and provide culturally relevant and science-based information to support those who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The spread of misinformation can cause real harm and put our progress against COVID-19 at risk. We're providing Canadians with reliable, science-based information so they can make informed choices about vaccination. These projects are using tailored strategies to share credible and culturally relevant vaccine information with populations disproportionately impacted by the pandemic,” said Patty Hajdu, minister of health. “By crowding out misinformation with community-based solutions, we can support vaccination efforts across Canada and protect more people―and communities— from COVID-19.”
Receiving funding are:
- Alberta International Medical Graduates Association will receive up to $500,000 for its project, Improving COVID-19 Vaccine Literacy and Acceptancy among newcomers. The organization will create multilingual 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 up to $470,000 for its project, Protecting Our Future: Winnipeg Urban Indigenous Peoples. The organization will 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 up to $500,000 for its project, Vaccination, Misinformation and Digital Media: Mobilizing Newcomer Information Practices for Effective COVID Communications. The organization will 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.
Earlier this year, Manitoba partnered with several physician and pharmacist organizations in preparation for its rollout of new COVID-19 vaccines that do not require special handling and transport. Alberta also launched a program to allow physicians to vaccinate their patients against COVID-19.
In 2020, the federal government invested an additional $64 million for projects to support COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Canada. This funding includes:
- $30.25 million for community-led projects to develop tailored, targeted tools and educational resources to raise awareness of, and confidence in, COVID-19 vaccines.
- $32.5 million to support provincial and territorial governments in enhancing their electronic vaccination registries to help monitor vaccine uptake.
- $1.3 million to amend existing funded projects to incorporate measures and activities to address COVID-19.
