Minister Duclos was delighted to meet with CAM and learn more about how the project aims to increase confidence in vaccines while encouraging women, pregnant women and those with fertility-related vaccine hesitancy to be informed about the their vaccines for COVID-19. The project uses multiple tactics, including a community of practice, public engagement campaigns, and peer mentoring opportunities. Funding is available through the Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF) to support ongoing vaccination efforts against COVID-19. Investments through the IPF help close the gap among populations with lower vaccine uptake by enabling informed vaccination options. Initiatives funded through the IPF are evidence-based and equity-based and are being developed in communities across Canada. The IPF is a key component of the Government of Canada’s multifaceted approach to advancing population health protection from vaccine-preventable diseases, supporting vaccine equity, and improving vaccine uptake and access through public outreach and community mobilization. Staying up-to-date on vaccinations by getting all the recommended doses gives you improved protection against COVID-19 while helping to reduce pressure on hospitals and our healthcare system. If it’s been more than six months since your last dose or since you were infected with COVID-19, it’s time to get your booster. The Minister took the opportunity to thank the enormous contribution midwives have made throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to make every day. He reiterated that the Government of Canada shares the concerns expressed by health care workers about the state of the health care system, particularly the impact of the health workforce crisis on their patients’ ability to receive quality care when and where they need it. Health workers, including midwives, are the backbone of the health care system and the Minister has recognized that the health workforce is in crisis. Quotation marks “Vaccination is a small action that makes a big difference in our lives and those around us. The Canadian Association of Midwives plays a critical role in encouraging everyone, including those with fertility-related vaccine hesitancy, to learn about COVID-19 vaccines that will help protect them from serious outcomes We all have a role to play in promoting healthy communities by making sure we are up to date on all our vaccines, including COVID-19 and seasonal flu. The Honorable Jean-Yves Duclos Minister of Health My team and I had the pleasure of meeting with the Canadian Association of Midwives and learning first-hand how they support excellence in reproductive care and provide education to pregnant women, people with fertility hesitancy, midwives and various obstetric organizations. Through their ‘Midwives for 4’ project, they are helping to support culturally safe clinical communication about the risks of COVID-19 disease in pregnancy and the importance of staying up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccination.” The Honorable Minister Marc MillerMinister of Crown-Indigenous Relations “Through the Immunization Partnership Fund, we’re helping people make informed decisions about getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Increasing vaccination acceptance and uptake is how we can work together to protect the health of everyone in Canada and the of our health care as a whole.” Dr. Theresa Tam, Director of Public Health, Public Health Service of Canada Quick facts
Launched in 2016, the Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF) is a key component of Public Health Canada’s immunization initiatives. The IPF is an important driver for identifying and addressing gaps in vaccine acceptance and uptake and empowering people in Canada to make informed decisions about vaccines. In 2020 and 2021, as part of Canada’s vaccination efforts against COVID-19, the Government of Canada invested $45.5 million on projects to support the acceptance and uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. In 2022, additional funding of $3,894,545 was announced under the Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF) to provide ongoing support to 9 existing IPF projects. Vaccination is and will continue to be a critical public health measure. Public Health Canada recommends that everyone stay current on their COVID-19 vaccinations by getting all recommended doses. If it’s been more than 6 months since your last dose or since you got infected with COVID-19, it’s time to get another booster. This is especially important if you are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Affiliate linksVaccination and ImmunizationImmunization Partnership Fund Canada.ca/Coronavirus SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada For more information: Guillaume Bertrand, Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary, Office of the Honorable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Media Relations, Public Health Service of Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]; Public inquiries: 613-957-2991, 1-866-225-0709
