'A science-based approach': The groups working to combat vaccine hesitancy in Manitoba
Two groups in Manitoba are working together to help combat vaccine hesitancy and provide accurate information to the public.
On Sunday, the Bengali Cultural Society of Manitoba and the Hindu Society of Manitoba held a vaccination promotion workshop, aimed at providing science-based information on the COVID-19 vaccine as misinformation continues to lead to vaccine hesitancy.
Arindom Sinha of the Bengali Cultural Society of Manitoba said one of the Manitoba government’s strategies has been to engage with communities, including different ethnic communities, to promote vaccinations.
“Our strategy is to engage our community on a science-based approach,” he said.
“Reaching out to the vaccine-hesitant people, explaining the virtue of vaccines, why it is going to help individuals as well as society, so that we can all go back to the normal we are yearning for.”
The event featured guest speakers including doctors, pharmacists and microbiology experts to dispel any myths surrounding the vaccines.
“We are clearly saying, ‘Look guys, here’s the science,’” Sinha said.
“It’s not a top-down approach. It’s purely creating a community, a peer group and explaining the virtues.”
The groups said their goal is not to force anyone to get the vaccine, but rather give them the chance to make an informed decision after learning the facts.
The province’s #ProtectMB initiative is partially funding the workshop and outreach.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.