In 2019, The World Health Organization named vaccine hesitancy as one of the top 10 global threats to health. This, along with a global pandemic and the rise of fake news, gave rise to the “Why Immunize?” initiative.
The goal? Empower learners of all ages to consider why immunization is both a right and a responsibility and help them focus their critical lens in an age of information overload. Why Immunize? is led by the Discovery Centre, in partnership with Nova Scotia Health and made possible by the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia, the Telus Friendly Future Foundation, and the SM Blair Family Foundation. This site will provide educators and guardians with access to free, bilingual activities and frequently asked questions suitable for homes and classrooms that aim to make immunology and vaccinology fun, engaging, and accessible.
Trusted Voices, an initiative by Discovery Centre’s Why Immunize? team, is designed to help promote vaccine confidence in marginalized communities of Nova Scotia by co-creating various resources with partner organizations that work directly within these communities. By working with these Trusted Voices, we are able to create culturally relevant resources that address the concerns of the people in these communities. In partnership with Africville Museum and through consultation with Nova Scotia Health and Health Association of African Canadians, we have gathered information together to support informed decisions about vaccines and highlight African Nova Scotian community resources.
