The goal for this program is to change knowledge, attitudes & beliefs in the newcomer’s population related to vaccines, with the main focus being the COVID-19 vaccines. The educational sessions have started in February and will run until June. We will be having 5 sessions a month and they will be delivered in various newcomer languages (English, Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish & French). Topics include: COVID-19 & The Basics, Media Literacy, Building Confidence in the Healthcare System, Self-Care & Getting Back to a New Normal.

Additionally, this program will focus on identifying the gaps and barriers newcomers face when it comes to vaccine hesitancy and the distrust of health organizations. We are specifically targeting the newcomer population, first and second-generation immigrants. The educational sessions have been approved by Brock University Research Ethics Board (REB), to ensure the confidentiality and anonymity of the participants.

We will also be embedding presentations into our existing programs offered at NFAMC for the duration of the program. Which will allow newcomer clients to gain knowledge about COVID-19 and vaccines in their own language, and to ask any questions they may like. Existing programs would include English conversation circle, settlement workshops, ESL classrooms and youth group.

The project will consist of the newcomer population aged 12 or above in Niagara which is defined as “first generation immigrants (born abroad) and second generation immigrants where at least one parent was born abroad” newcomer population, first and second-generation immigrants. We will also include immigrants and refugees settled in Niagara for longer than 3 years (classified as long-term residents).
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*Newcomers of any status are eligible to participate in the program*

Please click here for the introduction video of the Peer-to-Peer Vaccine Education & Outreach Program.