Deep into the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada is racing to catch up with a virus spreading and mutating across the globe at an incredible pace. No longer is the collective goal to “flatten the curve” – this time, armed with vaccines, the aim is to break the chain of infection altogether.
In this three-part series, YFile investigates the COVID-19 vaccine as an injection of hope for recovery. Today, in part three, we look at the road to recovery.
“There is more to consider in terms of vaccine uptake than the vaccine decision or intention – a lot of people may have the intention to get the vaccine but are running into barriers in terms of availability, access or timing,” says Eric Kennedy, assistant professor at York University in the Disaster and Emergency Management program. “There are many people who want to take this vaccine but encounter substantial barriers.”
Kennedy notes two paradigms that have emerged in response to the global spread of COVID-19 since it emerged in March 2020: one perspective is to shut down the country’s borders, prevent foreigners from coming in and on-shore production of vaccines, personal protective equipment and resources to keep the virus out; the other perspective is to position public health as a “team sport” and participate in collaborative, international networks and respond with a global lens.
The latter is the approach Canada has taken.
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