A number of factors, including historical distrust, isolation, lack of awareness, and systemic barriers, may contribute to lower absorption of the COVID-19 vaccine in some communities. The project, which involved the Waterloo Region and the Somali Canadian Waterloo Association (SCAWR), aimed to provide accurate information to people so that they can make an informed choice, through community consultation and information, six information sessions and two clinics in an accessible and intimate community area, the Umul Qura Learning Center. The program resulted in 128 people aged five and over receiving a first, second or third dose of the vaccine. “We are grateful for the leadership provided by the Somali Canadian Union of the Waterloo Region in reducing barriers to COVID-19 vaccines and the Community Vaccination Clinics they host,” said Fauzia Baig, Director of Justice, Diversity and Region. “We have continued to learn lessons from vaccine marketing and are looking at the SCAWR model as a new way of working with community-led, community-supported and system-supported teams.” SHARE:
