Question Period Note: Vaccine distribution for Indigenous Communities

• We are working with the Public Health Agency of Canada, provinces and territories, and Indigenous partners to ensure that health facilities in Indigenous communities have the necessary immunization supplies, human health resources and personal protective equipment to deliver the vaccine when available.
• Indigenous Services Canada continues to support the COVID-19 Vaccine Planning Group with representation from federal, provincial and territorial, and Indigenous partners to co-develop approaches to support the access to COVID-19 vaccines for Indigenous communities and populations, including urban Indigenous Peoples.

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.

Shortly after the pandemic began, Indigenous Services Canada established regular calls with the Métis National Council, Métis Nation governments and Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak – Women of the Métis Nation to ensure Métis Nation partners are informed and up-to-date on our pandemic response, including vaccine planning and roll-out.

With vaccine rollout underway across Canada, there is a great deal of public interest in vaccine allocation. There have been significant supply challenges with the two approved COVID-19 vaccines due to the 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. To support this planning, Indigenous Services Canada co-developed a COVID-19 Vaccine Plan with provincial/territorial and Indigenous partners. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization has defined key populations for vaccine prioritization, which includes Indigenous adults as well as senior, healthcare workers, and congregate living settings. The Public Health Working Group on Remote and Isolated Communities continues to be a forum to share information and collaborate on vaccine planning in the territories.

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis have been prioritized for access to COVID-19 vaccines or included in recommendations for use. For example, Indigenous people in remote and isolated communities were prioritized upon the first arrival of vaccines in December of 2020. Later, when booster doses were available for adult populations, NACI guidance included prioritizing those living in or from Indigenous communities.

The Métis National Council, Métis Nation of British Columbia, Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Manitoba Métis Federation, and the Métis Nation of Ontario are all members of the COVID-19 Planning Working Group. The Métis Nation of Ontario, Métis Nation of Alberta, and the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan also participate on the Urban First Nations, Inuit, Metis and Related Homelands Vaccine Task Group.

If pressed on vaccination rates
• As of January 25, 2022, 1,043,188 doses have been administered, of that 410,577 were 2nd doses and 107,051 were 3rd doses in First Nations, Inuit and territorial communities.
• Over 86% of individuals aged 12+ have received a 2nd dose and over 43% of individuals aged 5-11 have received at least one dose.
• It is important to highlight that vaccination continues to be an important part of the comprehensive package of public health measures aimed at keeping communities safe. These include , physical distancing, wearing masks, hand sanitization, avoiding crowds, staying home when sick, testing, contact tracing, and isolation.

If pressed on the National Advisory Committee’s Guidance
• Since the onset of vaccine availability, the NACI has continued to review available products and scientific data from across Canada and internationally.
• Guidance has been updated on a regular basis, and has incorporated the unique historical, social, environmental and epidemiological factors for Indigenous populations into their recommendations.
• First Nations, Inuit, and Métis have been prioritized for access to COVID-19 vaccines or included in recommendations for use.
• Most recently, the January 28, 2022 NACI Rapid Response included recommendations for booster doses being offered for adolescents belonging to racialized or marginalized communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

If pressed on the historic mistrust in the healthcare system
• We are 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 vaccines.
• In collaboration with our partners, especially Indigenous health care providers, elders and leaders, we are proactively addressing COVID-19 vaccine misinformation, which is a contributing factor in vaccine hesitancy.
• This work is underway to bolster vaccine confidence, with the overall goal of optimizing vaccine-associated protection.

If pressed on the approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children
• On November 19, Health Canada issued regulatory authorization for the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine pediatric formulation for use in children aged 5-11.
• As of January 25, 2022, 32,629 doses have been administered, to those 5-11 in First Nations, Inuit and territorial communities.
• The Government of Canada has enough supply to offer vaccinations to everyone in Canada for whom these authorized COVID-19 vaccines are recommended, including booster doses.

If pressed on vaccine tracking
• Similar to the approach taken to track COVID-19 infection, Indigenous Services Canada works with partners to track vaccine uptake and serious adverse events among First Nations living on-reserve, where we either directly provide or fund service delivery.

If pressed on specific efforts to include Métis partners
• Indigenous Services Canada has kept Métis leadership informed and up-to-date on our pandemic response on a regular basis, including vaccine planning and roll-out.
• Indigenous Services Canada supports the greater inclusion of Métis leadership in the regional vaccine co-planning process, especially the need for trilateral discussions between provinces, Indigenous partners, and the Government of Canada to strengthen the work to date.
• A number of provinces, including BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have co-developed plans with Metis communities.

If pressed on vaccinations in the North
• Supporting First Nations and Inuit communities in the territories throughout the COVID-19 pandemic is a priority for Indigenous Services Canada.
• Vaccine uptake continues to increase across all Territories.
• While territorial governments are leading vaccination rollouts, Indigenous Services Canada is working closely with them and federal counterparts to ensure adequate supplies, equipment, and supports are available for communities to access COVID-19 vaccines.
• Vaccinations in the territories and Inuit regions are well underway, with 256,959 cumulative doses administered as of January 25, 2022.

If pressed on vaccination in children ages 5-11
• Health Canada has authorized the use of a pediatric formulation of the Pfizer vaccine for ages 5-11, and is currently reviewing the submission from Moderna for their pediatric vaccine formulation for ages 6-11.
• Vaccination is underway for both the first and second dose.

If pressed on NACI prioritization of boosters for the Indigenous population
• It is recognized COVID-19 can have a disproportionate impact on Indigenous communities.
• Therefore, NACI recommends First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities be offered a booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after completing their primary series.
• Booster vaccine programs in Indigenous communities should be determined by Indigenous leaders and communities with health care and public health partners.
• Presently, there is a sufficient supply of mRNA and viral vector vaccines for all Canadians, including Indigenous populations, to receive a booster dose.