CPHA Canvax

Project Title: Immunize Nunavut: Using data to inform practice
Funding Recipient: Government of Nunavut, Department of Health
Project Contact: Jenny Begin – Territorial Communicable Disease Specialist Department of Health
Government of Nunavut (JBegin@gov.nu.ca)
Project Period: September 11, 2018 – March 31, 2021


About the project

This project will address challenges related to the completeness and quality of vaccination data that is available in Nunavut by developing an immunization registry.  Currently, vaccinations are recorded on paper and sent to a larger centre for data entry and, although electronic medical records (Meditech) are being established in the territory, a vaccination module is not included.  

This project will explore adding a vaccination module to Meditech or the development of a stand-alone vaccination registry.  Once established, the registry will provide timely access to data that will be used to identify gaps in vaccination services and under-vaccinated populations in Nunavut.  

The project also aims to increase demand for vaccination services by the public by identifying and validating culturally relevant, vaccine-related health messages.  These messages will inform a targeted health-awareness campaign, with supporting promotional materials, to under-vaccinated populations.

Goal

The overall goal of the project is to improve vaccination coverage in Nunavut.

Objectives

  1. Develop an immunization module or registry for routine monitoring and evaluation of Nunavut’s immunization program.

  2. Identify and address system gaps in data entry into the immunization registry and reporting of outcomes.

  3. Identify under-vaccinated groups and prioritize groups by younger age.

  4. Increase up-to-date vaccination among Nunavummiut with strategies such as developing a vaccine awareness, health promotion campaign that targets parents of the youngest under-vaccinated groups.

  5. Improvements in immunization program delivery in under-vaccinated groups.

Outcomes

  • Short Term:
    • Increased public awareness of the updated immunization schedules and benefits of immunization.
    • Healthcare providers have access to immunization coverage reports specific to their population.
    • Increased efficiency documenting vaccinations and the generation of relevant reports. 
  • Medium Term:
    • Increased demand for immunization from Nunavummiut as a result of health awareness campaigns using social media and other modalities based on clear, validated health messages on vaccine knowledge and uptake.
    • Healthcare providers and staff have increased knowledge of under and un-vaccinated populations as a result of the coverage data and are able to use this data to inform their practice.
    • Department of Health uses immunization registry data and reports to inform activities and to minimize barriers faced by individuals, families, and health care providers.
  • Long Term:
    • Improved vaccination coverage, particularly in under-vaccinated populations.
    • Decreased vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) in Nunavut.
    • Decreased VPD-related outbreaks in Nunavut.

The challenge that the project addresses

The project will address systematic barriers to vaccination data and seek to improve vaccination rates in Nunavut.


About Government of Nunavut – Department of Health

The Department of Health is responsible for health services and social programming in Nunavut. Staff at the Department of Health work to improve the health and well-being of Nunavummiut by addressing the differing needs of each community through culturally appropriate programs and services.

To make sure that they meet their goals in the territory, the Department of Health works under the following mission and vision statements.

Mission

To promote, protect and enhance the health and well-being of all Nunavummiut, incorporating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit at all levels of service delivery and design.

Vision

We envision the well-being of all Nunavummiut, with individuals leading productive lives in self-reliant and healthy communities throughout the territory.