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The success of vaccine uptake in Canada will depend on a multipronged approach that addresses the unique needs of our diverse country.
My latest in @globeandmail with @SeemaMarwahaMD and @NaheedD
Key points below:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-we-cant-be-dismissive-about-peoples-anxieties-regarding-covid-19/
My latest in @globeandmail with @SeemaMarwahaMD and @NaheedD
Key points below:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-we-cant-be-dismissive-about-peoples-anxieties-regarding-covid-19/
Unprecedented speed of development, approval and distribution of various COVID-19 vaccines has resulted in public concerns as to whether due diligence has been done. Terms such as “Operation Warp Speed” have not helped. 2/
In BIPOC communities, where many are disproportionately experiencing impacts of COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy runs even deeper. Telling a racialized minority that Health Canada has reviewed safety is almost meaningless to a community that has lost trust in health care + govt. 3/
Immigrant and multicultural populations have unique concerns. For example, misinformation on bovine/cattle products in vaccines for Hindus is rampant. For Muslims, it’s important the vaccines are both pork-gelatin free (which they are!) and endorsed by religious leaders. 4/
Need to:
1- Explain how we have been able to utilize scientific innovation without compromising safety.
2- Educate on side effects and other key elements
5/
1- Explain how we have been able to utilize scientific innovation without compromising safety.
2- Educate on side effects and other key elements
5/
3- Engage in respectful, compassionate dialogue. We can’t be dismissive of fears.
4- Important that we ask different groups what they are worried about, because if we don’t know what people’s concerns are, how can we address them?
6/
4- Important that we ask different groups what they are worried about, because if we don’t know what people’s concerns are, how can we address them?
6/
5- Tailored trauma-informed messaging from trusted sources is critical. Government-sponsored content or content coming from large medical institutions may seem credible to one community but could feed mistrust in another. 7/
6- Culturally diverse and sensitive materials are imperative. We need content that is accessible, available in multiple languages and distributed on channels that people consume. For instance, we could employ ethnic radio and TV to disseminate multilingual vaccine info. 8/
7- Primary care, CHCs already manage complex vaccine regimens with great success in terms of administration and education; leverage their trust and relationships. Allows for a better understanding of the unique challenges their communities are facing. 9/
We need to be strategic about whom we target in our messaging and how we target them. Only then will we be able to address the diversity of concerns we are hearing coast to coast to coast. 10/10
