The Government of Canada announces the selection of 20 finalists under the Vaccine Community Innovation Challenge to launch projects to increase people’s confidence in COVID-19 vaccines and reinforce public health measures in their communities.

"Vaccines are one of the most important tools we have to ending the COVID-19 pandemic. By working directly with communities, we see the positive impact of these initiatives to promote COVID-19 vaccination. The immense interest in the Vaccine Community Innovation Challenge shows how important it is that every Canadian has the information they need to stay healthy and safe. By supporting community-driven projects like these, we're able to help people get vaccinated – a small act we can each do with a big impact in our communities."

The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Health

"The Vaccine Community Innovation Challenge encourages community members to use their own voices, languages, and styles of communicating about COVID-19 vaccines and public health measures. There are key reasons why some people may be wary of getting the vaccine, which range from the spread of misinformation to legitimate concerns about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. Additionally, certain communities have experienced racism and discrimination in the health care system. Supporting communities in efforts to address uncertainty about vaccines is not just extremely effective; it's the right thing to do. I look forward to seeing the impacts of these efforts across Canada."

Dr. Theresa Tam
Chief Public Health Officer of Canada

• The Vaccine Community Innovation Challenge gives communities resources to spread the word about COVID-19 vaccines and increase vaccine confidence through creative, community-driven and culturally appropriate means.

• The Challenge is a $1.5 million investment, an increase from the initial $600,000 that was announced on March 8, 2021. This funding will allow for up to an additional 120 projects to be implemented across Canada, with grants of either $5,000 or $10,000. The funding was increased after an overwhelming interest in the Challenge and the high-quality and diverse number of proposals received.

• Under the Challenge, the community-driven information campaigns will run over a 12-week period. The 20 finalists will receive $25,000 each to carry out their campaigns and a grand prize winner will be chosen to receive $100,000 to reinvest in the protection and promotion of public health in their community.

• Vaccine hesitancy is a complex issue, and this Challenge is one of several approaches being employed to reach Canadians to promote vaccine confidence.

• The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with a range of partners and stakeholders including provinces, territories, healthcare workers and other experts to support Canadians' understanding of, and confidence in, COVID-19 vaccines, including underserved, Indigenous and racialized communities. 

• The Government of Canada continues to work with partners and stakeholders to:

  • engage with underserved communities through outreach and engagement sessions; and
  • develop public education activities to use different approaches to reach different segments of the public.

Associated links

• Backgrounder: Funding recipients for the Vaccine Community Innovation Challenge
• Vaccine Community Innovation Challenge
• Vaccination and Immunization
• Immunization Partnership Fund: Increasing confidence, acceptance and uptake of Covid-19 vaccines

Thierry Bélair
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Health
613-957-0200

Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
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hc.media.sc@canada.ca

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