Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy professor receives funding for vaccine uptake strategy

Federal funding for Professor Anna Taddio is part of $2.25 million to support COVID-19 vaccination efforts

Professor Anna Taddio at the University of Toronto’s Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy will receive new funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada to equip health care providers and Canadians with proven strategies to manage pain and fear during vaccination.

The research is part of a $2.25 million federal investment through the Immunization Partnership Fund (IPF), which will support COVID-19 vaccination efforts and reduce barriers to vaccination.

Taddio will receive nearly $500,000 for her CARD (C-Comfort, A-Ask, R-Relax, D-Distract) system, which addresses fear of needles among adults through pain management with proven best practices. The information and strategies developed through this project will be shared among health care networks and the general public to help people feel more comfortable when it’s their turn to get vaccinated.  

“We can help people feel more comfortable with getting vaccinated. CARD is a tool that helps people to identify sources of fear or anxiety around getting needles and ways to reduce them,” said Taddio.

“By inviting people to choose what suits their needs and preferences, we can improve their experiences and promote confidence in vaccination. This can increase vaccine uptake.”

The Immunization Partnership Fund is a Government of Canada initiative to support Canadians in making informed choices on vaccination through public outreach and communications.

In addition to Taddio’s research, the fund is supporting ScienceUpFirst, a project led by the Canadian Association of Science Centres in partnership with COVID-19 Resources Canada and the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta.

This initiative will draw on a network of scientists, health care providers, and science communicators to debunk misinformation with credible COVID-19 facts, and will reach vulnerable populations with culturally relevant, scientifically accurate COVID-19 information.

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, announced the new funding as part of National Immunization Week, which is observed each year to highlight and recognize the importance of immunization.

“This year’s National Immunization Awareness Week comes at a critical stage in Canada’s COVID-19 response. The vaccines we have in Canada are safe and effective, and I encourage everyone to get vaccinated when it is your turn,” said Hajdu. “This funding will help trusted leaders within the science and healthcare communities share credible information on vaccines and address barriers people face in getting vaccinated.”

This story is based on a media release by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

By: Eileen Hoftyzer