Our Executive Director, Chris Thompson joined MP Shaun Chen, Executive Director of Black Physicians’ Association of Ontario, Chenai Kadungure MA, MPhil; and BPAO Board Member & Black Creek Clinic Lead, Dr Neil to announce that the Public Health Agency of Canada | Agence de la santé publique du Canada invested over $286,000 through the Immunization Partnership Fund. Of that fund the FBC received $100,000 to deliver its project, COVID-19 Conversations with the Black Community, which helped sustain and strengthen vaccine confidence and promote COVID-19 booster uptake within Black communities by countering vaccine-related misinformation, empowering communities to lead regionally adapted approaches, disseminating findings from Black-led COVID-19 vaccine research, and developing a national digital information campaign.

“The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) recognizes that community-driven initiatives are fundamental to fostering confidence in vaccination. As such, PHAC has partnered with community organizations to support increased access to credible and culturally appropriate information and education on vaccines, helping individuals make informed vaccination choices for themselves and their families.

The FBC has:

• combatted vaccine hesitancy and misinformation through various national online campaigns, including interactive vaccine health trivia and vaccine center mapping tools via social media;
• empowered youth groups to hold their sessions with their peers and community members to counter vaccine-related misinformation; and
• convened over 70 Black-led groups and individuals in national forums to share and increase vaccine confidence and provide counters to misinformation.

“The Federation of Black Canadians’ COVID-19 Conversations with the Black Community project has identified that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on marginalized groups such as the Black Community. In addition, misinformation and vaccine hesitancy has also caused alarm and skepticism within the community. With access to funding from the Immunization Partnership Fund, the Federation of Black Canadians has been able to combat vaccine hesitancy and misinformation by using the resources to develop various national online campaigns, including interactive vaccine health trivia, vaccine center mapping tools via social media and convening national calls with trusted Black community leaders as well as empowering smaller youth groups to hold their own community forums to counter vaccine-related misinformation and promoted vaccination confidence.” (Christopher Thompson, Executive Director, Federation of Black Canadians)

Thanks to TAIBU Community Health Centre for allowing us hold the announcement at the Health Center. #health #community #publichealth #investment

Link to full announcement: https://lnkd.in/g6WnYAFS