'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
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.