New projects funded under the Immunization Partnership Fund    

Backgrounder

April 2017

To support its commitment to increasing vaccination coverage in Canada, the Government of Canada launched the Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF). This fund provides $2 to $3 million per year for projects aimed at improving vaccination coverage in Canada.

This fund supports projects that:

  • enable healthcare providers and public health programs to increase vaccination coverage;
  • increase demand for vaccination; and
  • enhance access to vaccination services.

The IPF has supported a number of projects including:

Prince Edward Island Department of Health and Wellness
Enhancing Adult Immunization Coverage in Prince Edward Island ($333,486)

This province-wide project aims to increase adult vaccination rates in Prince Edward Island by addressing three areas:

  • upgrading healthcare practitioner capacity to identify under- and un-immunized individuals;
  • enhancing healthcare practitioner capacity to communicate effectively with their patients about immunization; and
  • developing a targeted communications strategy and social marketing campaign to promote adult immunization.

Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living
Identification of Under-Immunized Districts in Manitoba through Mapping of Vaccine Uptake, and Development of Local Intervention Strategies to Increase Vaccine Uptake in Children Living in these Districts ($595,784)

Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living (MHSAL) will map areas of under- and un-immunized populations and identify causes of low vaccine uptake. MHSAL will use this information to develop strategies tailored to the needs of specific areas to increase vaccination rates among Manitoba’s children and youth.

The goal of this project is to develop strategic approaches to identify and overcome the barriers to the optimal vaccination rates needed to prevent many infectious diseases. The project will be implemented throughout the province, including those areas that fall under the jurisdiction of Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.

Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
Improving Immunization Rates among Pregnant Women in Canada: Working with Care Providers and the Public ($733,091)

Infectious diseases can have severe complications for pregnant women, fetuses and newborn infants. However, vaccination coverage rates for pregnant women are less than optimal. This project will include guidelines and training that will enhance the practices of 9,000 healthcare practitioners (including obstetricians, gynaecologists, family physicians, nurses and midwives) and provide the public with evidence-based information to make healthy decisions regarding vaccines.

Planned activities include:

  • an environmental scan to determine the situation in Canada related to vaccination during pregnancy;
  • a national survey of healthcare practitioners to determine their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and current practices towards vaccinations;
  • updated clinical practice guidelines, an accredited in-person and online training program, and a toolkit targeted at healthcare practitioners and educators;
  • a national survey of women of reproductive age to determine their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about vaccination during pregnancy; and
  • a toolkit for women that includes information about vaccination in general, vaccine hesitancy issues and vaccination during pregnancy.

The results of the project will be widely shared at conferences, through social and news media, online, and via webinars.

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