Partnership with Somali Canadian Association of Waterloo Region helps build vaccine confidence and increase uptake

Waterloo Region – In partnership with the Region of Waterloo, the Somali Canadian Association of Waterloo Region (SCAWR) led a successful six-week project to overcome COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in racialized communities due to historical mistrust, isolation, lack of awareness and systemic barriers.

One of the main objectives of the project was to reach community members in meaningful ways to provide accurate information so they could make an informed choice. The result was an increase in vaccine uptake which was successfully achieved through community consultation and outreach, six information sessions, and in offering two vaccination clinics in a community space that was accessible and familiar.

Through a grassroots approach, SCAWR had candid conversations with parents, youth, seniors, newcomers and religious leaders to address community concerns, understand vaccine hesitancy and reduce barriers. There was also an opportunity for six youth leaders to be involved in outreach in their own communities. In addition to learning new skills, they gained experienced supporting two vaccination clinics held at the Umul Qura Learning Centre.

“Engaging community members and collaborating with the Region of Waterloo helped bridge existing gaps and increased awareness and trust of the COVID-19 vaccines,” said Zack Ahmed, Project Manager for SCAWR. “By continuously engaging with community organizations like SCAWR, the Region will continue to gain deeper understanding of barriers to vaccine acceptance and uptake, and thereafter implement evidence and community-informed practices now and in the future.”

Thanks to many outreach activities, including the preparation and distribution of flyers, hosting of information sessions, phone calls, assisting with the booking of appointments, and providing interpreters, the two vaccination clinics were very successful. Altogether, 128 individuals aged 5 years of age and older received a first, second or booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

“We are grateful for the leadership the Somali Canadian Association of Waterloo Region provided to reduce barriers to COVID-19 vaccines and host community vaccination clinics,” said Fauzia Baig, Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for the Region of Waterloo. “We continued to build off lessons learned through the vaccine rollout and are looking at the SCAWR model as a new way of working with community groups that is community led and system supported. This community-centred model aligns well with the Safety Wellbeing Plan framework and will serve as an example of how this approach can be safely implemented.”

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