COVID-19 in Indigenous communities: National Association of Friendship Centres launches vaccine campaign – CBC

1,786 active cases in First Nations people in provinces as of Oct. 4

Oct 06, 2021

As a delta variant-driven fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic continues, the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is urging Indigenous people to get vaccinated.

“We’ve just seen a lot of misinformation being floated about, and we thought we might be able to add some voices to provide information and a judgment-free way,” said Jocelyn Formsma, NAFC executive director.

The association, which represents over 100 local friendship centres across Canada, launched the Take Action in COVID campaign. Social media posts provide education to dispel myths, demonstrate the safety and efficacy of vaccines, and to encourage urban Indigenous people to get the jab.

Formsma said although data collection is a challenge, vaccine uptake by Indigenous people living in urban, rural and northern communities is much lower than First Nations people living on-reserve and the general public.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/indigenous-covid-19-update-1.6202020