Science North receives $500K to promote vaccinations, and not just COVID-19 shots
Science North in Sudbury is getting $500,000 in federal funding to promote vaccinations. The project is called 'Give Vaccines a Shot!' and it’s targeted at audiences of all ages.
The project is an initiative to try to help people better understand how vaccines work. Staff with Science North said they will be using various digital platforms to help spread the word.
"For example, we’re going to have school programs and we’re going to target Grades 2-12 on different topics when it comes to human health, immunology, and also how vaccines work," said Bruce Doran, staff scientist with Science North.
Doran said the initiative isn’t just about the COVID-9 vaccine, but all vaccinations. He said it’s all about providing individuals with scientific, accurate and up-to-date information.
"The goal of this program is not really to try to hammer vaccine into people’s minds. The goal of the program is to give people the knowledge, and the science so they can make an informed decision when it comes to vaccines for themselves and their family," said Doran.
"Individuals that participate, hopefully they’ll get a better understanding how vaccines work with immune systems to protect them against certain disease and we’re hoping they’ll be a bit more confident about their choice when it comes to vaccination."
Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe said a program like this is vital and is a good way to increase vaccine confidence.
"Science North has such a unique and engaging way of reaching out to communities, educating them, and informing them on some key matters and the importance of vaccinations is one of their key matters facing all of us today," said Lapointe.
Science North staff said they hope to reach as many Canadians as possible before this initiative wraps up in March 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.