Project Title
Engaging Community Stakeholders to Address Vaccine Hesitancy in Racialized and Diasporic Communities
Project Leads
Rade Zinaic, Josephine Pui-Hing Wong, Roula Hawa, Maureen Owino, Alan Li
Objectives
To address vaccine access and hesitancy amongst ethno-racial communities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) as well as identify and co-prioritize future actions to facilitate equity in pandemic recovery and preparedness.
Research questions
(1)What are the primary reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy amongst the Black, East Asian, Eastern European, South Asian, Latinx, and Middle Eastern and North African diasporas in Toronto? (2) Which evidence-based health communication strategies are effective in engaging the common and specific needs of diverse communities during a pandemic or community crisis?
Background
Canada attained high one-dose COVID-19 vaccination coverage in the population. Yet vaccination efforts were complicated by systemic inequities alongside health communication strategies that underestimated access barriers, racism, mistrust, and misinformation. Only half of those eligible are considered fully vaccinated (primary series plus one booster). Irregular uptake of COVID-19 vaccines impedes public health responses, resulting in avoidable deaths and hospitalizations, and staining the already fragile healthcare system. Given the existence of distrust, access barriers, the emergence of vaccine fatigue, and disinformation-peddling anti-vaxxer movements, there is a critical need to understand vaccine hesitancy as a part of a broader project of pandemic preparedness.
Methods
Drawing on a critical public health framework, we undertook the following: (1) two scoping reviews on vaccine access and hesitancy in six racialized communities in the Greater Toronto Area; (2) one rapid review and program scan to identify effective evidence-based public health communication strategies or models thar are responsive to the context of diverse communities for use during a pandemic or a community crisis; (3) organizing a Community Dialogue and Collective Action Forum to disseminate review finding to over 35 community members, advocates, service providers, researchers and decision-makers; and (4) engaging community stakeholders to form partners to develop a follow-up plan of action on inclusive pandemic recovery and preparedness.
Current Status
Reviews and the Community Dialogue and Collective Action Forum were completed. Post-forum knowledge mobilization and partnership development to address post-pandemic recovery are in process. Community report is forthcoming.
Expected completion
June 2024
Co-researchers & Partners
Toronto Metropolitan University, Canadian Arab Institute, Women’s Health in Women’s Hands, The Teresa Group, Brescia University, The Arab Community Centre of Toronto, Project PROTECH, Community Alliance for Accessible Treatment.
Funding
CIHR Planning and Dissemination Grant
Key words
vaccine hesitancy, COVID-19, racialized, marginalized communities, diaspora, pandemic preparedness, pandemic recovery, Toronto, Black, East Asian, Eastern European, Latinx, South Asian, MENA