Question Period Note: Vaccine distribution for Indigenous Communities

• Our top priority is the health and safety of all Canadians, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

• We are working with the Public Health Agency of Canada, provinces and territories, and Indigenous partners to support planning for a COVID-19 vaccine.

• We are focused on the specific needs of Indigenous communities including the adversities, racism and vulnerabilities they face.

• We continue to ensure that Indigenous peoples’ needs are addressed during the COVID-19 pandemic, including access to vaccines.

The Government of Canada supports First Nations and Inuit communities in preparing for, monitoring and responding to COVID-19. Indigenous Services Canada works closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada, other Government of Canada departments, and provincial and territorial governments as well as Indigenous partners to protect the health and safety of Indigenous peoples.

Work is underway internationally to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. The Government of Canada is working with manufacturers to secure vaccine supply; however, there are anticipated supply challenges with this vaccine due to the significant international demand.

Indigenous Services Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch is developing strategic advice and direction on emerging issues related to COVID-19 vaccine considerations for Indigenous communities, including implementation, quality assurance, and prioritization. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization will define key populations for vaccine prioritization. Indigenous partners and Indigenous Services Canada have provided input into this guidance.

If pressed on COVID-19 Vaccine Planning

• ISC has formed a COVID-19 Vaccine Planning working group with representation from federal, provincial and territorial, and Indigenous partners to co-develop approaches to support the access to COVID-19 vaccines for First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities and populations, including urban Indigenous peoples.

• We are working with the Public Health Agency of Canada, provinces, territories and Indigenous partners to ensure that health facilities in Indigenous communities have the necessary immunization supplies and additional personal protective equipment to deliver the vaccine when available.
If pressed on the National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s Preliminary Guidance on Key Populations for Early COVID-19 Vaccination

• We are advocating for the prioritization of Indigenous communities for the COVID-19 vaccine, together with front-line health workers, congregate setups and seniors.

• We have learned from the H1N1 outbreak that we need a strong centralized and informed approach to vaccine prioritization.

• This is why Indigenous peoples need to be prioritized for access to COVID-19 vaccines to help mitigate the risks. If Pressed on the historic mistrust in the healthcare system

• Due to the longstanding history of colonization in Canada, there is a historic mistrust in the healthcare system among Indigenous communities, and this includes vaccines.

• We are is committed to working with Indigenous partners and communities to address any questions or concerns about the healthcare system, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 response and vaccine.

• In collaboration with our stakeholders, we are also proactively addressing vaccine misinformation, which is a contributing factor in vaccine hesitancy or anti-vaccination sentiment.