Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, announced five new projects receiving funding through the Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF) to support vaccination efforts across Canada.

“Vaccines are an important tool to protect Canadians against COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is a small action that makes a big difference – which is why we’re helping everyone in Canada get vaccinated against COVID-19. These projects are using tailored strategies to reduce vaccine access barriers and facilitate COVID-19 vaccine uptake among populations disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Supporting community-based solutions helps remove systemic barriers to vaccination and will protect more people―and communities— from COVID-19.” 

The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Health

• All project activities started in June 2021.  

• The Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF) supports projects that improve access to vaccines and encourage vaccine acceptance and uptake. 

• In 2020, as a response to Canada’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts and building on the early momentum of the IPF, the Government of Canada invested an additional $64 million for projects to support COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Canada. This funding includes:

  • $30.25 million for community-led projects to develop tailored, targeted tools and educational resources to raise awareness of, and confidence in, COVID-19 vaccines.
  • $32.5 million to support provincial and territorial governments in enhancing their electronic vaccination registries to help monitor vaccine uptake.
  • $1.3 million to amend existing funded projects to incorporate measures and activities to address COVID-19.

• The IPF is one of several programs by the Government of Canada to work with communities to increase vaccine confidence and address barriers to getting vaccinated. This includes the Vaccine Community Innovation Challenge which will provide up to 140 grants for community-driven information campaigns to empower community leaders to spread the work on COVID-19 vaccines and public health measures.  

• The Ask the Experts campaign will run from June 15, 2021, to July 31, 2021. The ads will appear on TV, web sites, social media and in search engine marketing. Through a series of videos, the campaign answers a variety of questions such as the importance of getting the second dose of the vaccine, why people who are young and healthy need to get vaccinated, and how the vaccines work. 

• Through the IPF:

  • African Arts & Culture Community Contributor Society will receive up to $450,000 for its project, Increasing confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine in British Columbia's Black Community.
  • Mainline, a program of the Mi'Kmaw Native Friendship Centre, will receive up to $123,000 for its project, Promoting Vaccine Access and Acceptability for People who Use Drugs and Urban Indigenous People in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
  • Regroupement des centres d'amitié autochtones du Québec will receive up to $475,000 for its project, Miro Matisiwin (bien-être).
  • Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services Inc. will receive up to $100,000 for its project, Regina Urban Indigenous COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy.
  • Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre will receive up to $460,000 for its project, Community Pop-Up Clinics for COVID-19 Outreach at Single Room Occupancy Dwellings & Homeless Shelters.

Associated links

• Backgrounder: New Projects Funded Under the Immunization Partnership Fund
• Immunization Partnership Fund
• Vaccination and Immunization
• Canada.ca/Coronavirus

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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