The Public Health Agency of Canada** (PHAC) said Wednesday it has stepped up funding to ensure more Canadians have access to vaccines as well as access to information that will help Canadians make informed choices on vaccinations. This includes funding directed at Science North.
PHAC said the awareness program includes continued vaccines for COVID-19, updated influenza vaccines (the flu shot) and childrens' vaccines.
Federal health minister Mark Holland announced that $9.5 million would be allocated to the federal Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF) in 2023 - 2024 to 53 organizations across Canada to provide "accurate information on the safety and effectiveness of vaccines," said a news release.
The release said $175,000 was provided to Science North in Sudbury to continue a program to increase vaccine confidence and acceptance.
"The project will deepen engagement with people living in Canada with an exciting array of virtual and in-person programs delivered in English and French across Northern Ontario and beyond," said the release.
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said with the arrival of cold weather, Canadians need increased vaccine protection.
"As we prepare for the fall and winter months, we need to build on the capacity and knowledge gained in the past years in protecting ourselves, our health workforce and each other," said Tam.
The health minister also commented that more awareness and conversations are needed to break through the barrier of vaccine hesitancy.
"The science is clear – vaccines save lives. Community-led projects funded through the Immunization Partnership Fund were essential to sharing credible vaccine information throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to do so well into the future," said Holland.
**Correction: An earlier version of this story attributed the initiative to Health Canada, instead of the Public Health Agency of Canada. That has been corrected.
