19 To Zero: Closing the COVID-19 Vaccination Gap

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical experts across the country have been working to keep Canadians informed and safe. But many Canadians continue to disregard public health recommendations, despite the risks.

Now a grassroots coalition led by a medical officer of health from Alberta, Dr. Jia Hu, has joined forces to improve COVID-related behaviour change. The group, called 19 To Zero, includes scientific and clinical experts, as well as internationally renowned specialists in behavioural science and marketing.

Their current focus: vaccine uptake.

“Vaccination is our best chance at ending COVID, but for it to be effective we need to ensure that a large proportion of the population gets vaccinated,” says Noah Ivers, an associate professor of family and community medicine at U of T and family physician at Women's College Hospital. “Currently, there is a significant gap between vaccination targets, and those willing to get the vaccine.”

As part of the 19 To Zero coalition, Ivers is using his background in evidence-based knowledge translation and implementation science to close this gap — starting with health care providers themselves.

Ivers is working to bring the myriad of primary care organizations together across the province and country to ensure care providers get clear, coordinated, evidence-based information.

“We are already receiving questions daily about the vaccine. We need to be that equipped to answer patient questions, especially those who are hesitant,” says Ivers, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Implementation of Evidence-based Practice. “This is more than knowing the facts, this is building the skills and confidence to have these conversations.”

The 19 To Zero coalition is asking health care providers to do three things:

• Get educated
• Get vaccinated
• Get skilled

Family physicians see many patients who have questions about the vaccine, Ivers notes, and doctors need to be role models to articulate how the vaccine works and to provide clear, compassionate guidance, he adds.

“All primary care providers — family doctors, nurses, pharmacists — we can all have a huge impact because our patients trust us to look out for their best interests,” Ivers says. “The only effective, safe way to reach herd immunity is through vaccination. Together, we can bring COVID-19 under control.”

In the coming weeks, the group will be posting educational materials for health professionals on the 19 To Zero website and via the Centre for Effective Practice.