Research summary
Vaccines protect children from many serious diseases, yet fewer than three-quarters of Canadian children receive all the recommended vaccines. Many families face obstacles to immunization because of low income, inflexible employment, unstable housing or cultural and language barriers. Others mistrust the health system.
Dr. Shannon MacDonald, Canada Research Chair in Applied Pediatric Immunization, aims to boost pediatric immunization uptake, particularly among Indigenous children, by collaborating with policy, practice and community partners. She and her research team are studying the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine childhood immunization coverage. They are also exploring the potential to improve access to vaccines by integrating childhood immunization programs into other health and community services. Ultimately, their research will reduce health inequities and ensure all children have access to the vaccines they need to be healthy.