Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect the health of Canadians and people around the world. In the fight against COVID-19, it is important that as many people as possible get vaccinated to help keep themselves healthy and protect our health care system.

However, we know that certain Canadians have doubts and hesitations about getting vaccinated.  The reasons for vaccine hesitancy are complex and may include a number of factors, such as belief in misinformation and disinformation, and logistical, financial and other barriers to vaccination. Through the Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF), the Government of Canada is working with partners and public health advocates to address these factors and close the gap in vaccine hesitancy and uptake through evidence-based, culturally relevant and community-based interventions.

Today, MP for Sudbury Viviane Lapointe and MP for Nickel Belt Marc G. Serré, announced $500,000 in funding towards the important work being undertaken at Science North with support from the IPF to help vaccination efforts in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury. Their project, Give Vaccines a Shot! project will increase vaccine confidence through a complement of exciting informal and entertaining learning experiences targeted to audiences of all ages and backgrounds, with a focus on engaging youth, Francophone, Indigenous and other underserved audiences.

Science North will work with local community and health leaders to increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence among the local population and close any existing gaps in vaccination uptake.

The IPF is one tool of many that the federal government is using to help people across the country get vaccinated to protect themselves, those around them, and our health care system. The Government of Canada continues to work closely with experts, the provinces and territories, Indigenous communities, and community partners to increase vaccine confidence and better address the barriers people may face to getting vaccinated.

Quotes

“It is important that everyone in Canada has equitable access to vaccines and the evidence-based information they need to make healthy vaccination decisions. The Immunization Partnership Fund is one tool to help organizations, like Science North in their invaluable work to reach undervaccinated communities in Canada and empower them to make informed vaccine choices.” - The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health

 “Science North has an incredible ability, coupled with expertise and experience, for communicating with the public and educating them on important matters in unique and engaging ways. This funding through the Immunization Partnership Fund will tap into this asset and help Science North to deliver innovative approaches to educating our communities with evidence-based vaccination communication.  Many people want to be informed and this will help keep them and our communities safe.” – Viviane Lapointe, MP for Sudbury

“Thank you to Science North for continually delivering science-based information in an interactive and innovative way. The pandemic related workshops are sure to build increased public confidence and inspire more people to make an educated and safe choice concerning vaccination.  Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury boasts high vaccination rates thanks to the work of great public educators, partners and selfless community minded individuals!” – Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages

"Science North is extremely grateful for this federal funding and timely opportunity. Our goal is to always create evidence-based and meaningful science experiences, and this project will do just that. Thanks to the Immunization Partnership Fund, Science North will reach new audiences, including families and students, who face imminent immunization decisions and do not otherwise have access to interactive resources and one-on-one time with experts. We look forward to working with our partners to empower Canadians’ decision-making though entertaining learning experiences." – Guy Labine, Science North CEO