Pandemic Perspectives
Canada: Toronto releases vaccine engagement video series Pandemic Perspectives
Toronto/IBNS: A four-part vaccine engagement video series called Pandemic Perspectives was launched on May 26 by the administration of Toronto, the capital of Ontario province, featuring personal stories of the city's residents, community-based insights, vaccine information, and resources.
“Pandemic Perspectives was created to speak directly to members of communities who unfortunately continue to experience higher rates of COVID-19 infection and lower rates of vaccination…we want to contextualize the backgrounds and challenges that many of our residents face promoting a larger understanding of one another,” Toronto Mayor John Tory has said in a news release.
Four video themes were identified by Vaccine Engagement Teams (VETs) – families, faith leaders, youth, and accessibility -- to focus on communities and equity-deserving groups with lower rates of vaccination and high rates of COVID-19 infection and who continue to be disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A personal and powerful message is delivered by the videos, not only revealing the life experiences of those impacted communities but also promoting the importance of vaccination, addressing barriers and hesitations along the way.
The videos also aim to create a broad understanding, appreciation, and respect for the perspectives of others.
The video series acknowledges the unique challenges many Torontonians face and encourages collaboration and partnership among all Toronto residents.
Beginning May 26, Pandemic Perspectives will be released weekly on the City’s COVID-19: Vaccine Resources webpage and on the City’s YouTube and social channels.
Team Toronto’s hyper-local, equity-focused vaccine strategy strategizes the importance of community-based engagement and facilitates VETs and Community Ambassadors to deepen connections with residents in overcoming their resistance to understanding and confidence.
Earlier this year, Black Bodies, featuring Dr. Akwatu Khenti, Chair of the City’s Black Scientists’ Task Force on Vaccine Equity was launched by the city of Toronto with a personal message about COVID-19 vaccination to Toronto’s Black community.
Following the impact of that video, the City collaborated with the Accessibility Task Force, the Faith-Based Engagement Collaborative, and the Toronto Youth Vaccine Advisory Committee (TYVAC) to expand the series. Black Bodies can be watched under COVID-19 Stories on the City’s COVID-19: Vaccine Resources webpage.
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
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