Why Canadians should feel confident about getting vaccinated
Government of Canada supports projects to encourage vaccine uptake in Canada — OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 2, 2021 — Vaccines save lives and help prevent and control the spread of serious infectious diseases. To keep Canadians safe from COVID-19 and other diseases, the Government of Canada is ensuring that Canadians are confident about getting vaccinated, by increasing access to reliable, accurate and timely information about vaccines.
We must ensure that all Canadians understand how vaccines protect them, their loved ones, and their communities, especially as COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out across the country. Today, the Minister of Health, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, announced an investment of more than $64 million through the Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF) to help partners across the country in Canada increase COVID-19 vaccination uptake.
This includes $30.25 million for community-led projects to increase vaccine confidence by addressing gaps in knowledge, attitudes and beliefs related to vaccination. This funding will be used to develop tailored, targeted tools and educational resources to raise awareness of, and confidence in, the COVID-19 vaccines. These funds will also support the efforts of community members and leaders to increase vaccine confidence and address barriers to access and acceptance within their communities.
“All Canadians deserve a chance to achieve optimal health. This includes having access to credible information about vaccination and the opportunity to have open conversations with healthcare providers,” said Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada. “Doctors, nurses, midwives, other healthcare providers and community leaders are invaluable in sharing knowledge to help to keep us all safe, especially during a pandemic,” said Dr. Tam.
Getting vaccinated keeps you safe. The Government recognizes that some Canadians have concerns about vaccines, which is why the Government of Canada is partnering with health and allied health professionals’ organizations to develop resources that answer Canadians’ questions and promote the understanding of and confidence in COVID-19 vaccines.
Today’s announcement also includes $32.5 million for provincial and territorial governments to enhance their electronic vaccination registries and improve tracking of vaccine uptake across Canada. Each province and territory will receive up to $2.5 million in funding from now through March 2023.
The government continues to work with Indigenous leaders, experts, advisors, manufacturers and healthcare partners to allocate, distribute and administer safe and effective vaccines as quickly as possible for all who choose to be vaccinated, in an efficient and equitable manner.
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