Shoppers Drug Mart provides funding to 19 to Zero CALGARY, AB, Aug. 13, 2021 /CNW/ - Shoppers Drug Mart today announced funding provided to 19 to Zero to support its ongoing efforts to understand and address vaccine hesitancy in Canada. Launched at the University of Calgary in August 2020, 19 to Zero is a not-for-profit coalition of doctors, scientists, academics, and others, working together to understand, engage with and ultimately shift public perceptions around COVID-19 behaviours and vaccine.
The funding from Shoppers Drug Mart will support the coalition's efforts to understand fundamental sources of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in specialized or low confidence populations and areas, and deliver COVID-19 vaccine education to targeted patient populations.
"Canada is leading the world in vaccinations, but if we want to achieve herd immunity and put this pandemic behind us, there are many Canadians who need additional support to get their shot," says Chair of 19 to Zero, Dr. Jia Hu. "With this funding, we'll be able to better identify barriers to vaccination and provide resources and education to those who need it most."
Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies have played an important role in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations in many provinces across the country. As a trusted destination for healthcare, the store teams provide convenient and accessible community-level health services.
"Millions of Canadians each week come to our stores for a broad range of healthcare support, including vaccinations. We are always looking for ways to better understand those customers," says Jeff Leger, president, Shoppers Drug Mart. "Working with partners like 19 to Zero and supporting their research and education initiatives is just one way we believe we can support better health outcomes for Canadians."
About 19 to Zero
19 To Zero is a dedicated not-for-profit coalition of academics, public health experts, frontline healthcare workers, behavioural economists, and creative professionals working to understand, engage with, and shift public perceptions around COVID-19 behaviours and vaccination.
For more information about 19 to Zero, visit our website at 19toZero.ca.