A poll conducted by Angus Reid in January reported that, of all provinces, Alberta has the highest percentage of people (20 per cent) who may refuse to take a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to them. The good news is that number is down from 27 per cent in a similar poll conducted in December. The bad news is that one in five Albertans still say they will refuse to get vaccinated. Many Albertans report concerns about safety, short- and long-term side effects, and the fact the vaccines were developed and approved much quicker than previous vaccines.
To help pharmacists understand more about vaccine hesitancy, the Neighbourhood Pharmacies Association of Canada is hosting a webinar open to all pharmacists called Vaccine Hesitancy and Other COVID-19 Challenges – Lessons from Behavioural Science. The webinar is scheduled for Friday, February 19, 2021.
The webinar features speakers Dan Berry, a behavioural scientist who has worked with the NHS in the U.K., and Dr. Nancy Waite, who is one of pharmacy’s leading experts on vaccine hesitancy. During the hour, they will review research behind behavioural science and vaccine hesitancy and learning from experiences in the U.K. Both Nancy and Dan will share some insight on how pharmacists can approach building vaccine confidence in Canadians. The webinar will also point registrants to evidence-based resources that are publicly available and/or emerging on this topic to approach these important conversations in an aligned and evidence-informed manner.
To learn more about the webinar, visit the Neighbourhood Pharmacies Association of Canada website, or contact them at events@neighbourhoodpharmacies.ca.
