Virtual Immunization Counsellors
Meet our virtual immunization counsellors working on the MIICOVAC project!
Alex
Summary: Alex has a Master’s in Public Health and currently works as a research assistant in a vaccine epidemiology lab. As a former daycare educator, Alex loves kids! She hopes to help parents feel more confident in vaccinating their children against COVID-19, so that children can return to school safety and resume other activities that are important for childhood development.
Celina
Summary: I am a registered nurse and I focused my Master of Public Health on communicable disease control and immunization, my top interests in public health. Over the past year I was a vaccinator in a COVID-19 mass immunization clinic where I enjoyed speaking to many people about the COVID-19 vaccine, and now it is a privilege to be a part of the MIICOVAC project where I can continue to address concerns and questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dali
Summary: My motivation for participating in the project is to develop and strengthen my skills in motivational interviewing. As well as, to help bring information and reassurance to those who need in regard to the Covid-19 vaccine.
Monica
Summary: I have seen how vaccine hesitancy is a barrier for individuals, families and some rural and remote populations related to misinformation or barriers to information and services, or needle distress. As a lead nurse and immunizer at grade 7/8 vaccine clinics, I have seen how early childhood negative experiences with medical procedures or vaccination has led to long term vaccine fear, panic, or phobia.
Reen
Summary: My desire to make information on vaccination and health resources more accessible motivated me to become an immunization counsellor for this project. I am passionate about health equity and ensuring that people have all the information they need to make an informed decision.
My
Summary: My motivation for participating in the project as an immunization counsellor is to find and collect more tools to help not only myself but other healthcare professionals to increase successful vaccine recommendations. The pandemic has really highlighted this for me as an urgent need particularly along the front lines.
Rovina
Summary: I am a health care practitioner specializing in immunization for over 10 years. I'm intrigued to learn more about the issues and concerns Canadians have with regards to Covid-19 vaccination and help individuals navigate through these feelings to come to decision that best suits them and their families.
Sara
Summary: I believe one key aspect of public health is communication. It's important to communicate "the science" to people who are interested in knowing more or better understanding how scientific information relates to them, their health, etc and want to use it to inform their decisions, but it's equally important to understand where each person is coming from. As an immunization counsellor, I enjoy being a part of that exchange.
Sarah
Summary: I really want to understand more about the source of people’s hesitancy and what’s motivating them for or against vaccination. We all want to make the best decisions for ourselves and our loved ones, and we deserve equal access to the information needed to make those choices.
Janet
Summary: My motivation stems from a curiosity of learning how motivational interviewing can be utilized to neutralize contentious discussions.
Emmanuel
Summary: COVID-19 vaccines have proven safe and effective like all other vaccines I have personally received. This research project will assist me in promoting equitable health by supporting undecided individuals to make an informed decision about COVID-19 vaccine uptake and as well polish my motivational interviewing skills in the context of public health and vaccination.
Courtney
Majdouline
Summary: To have the privilege of guiding or supporting individuals in their decision making regarding vaccination. A free decision. Also to offer them a safe and secure space to explore and ask their questions.
Jun
Summary:
Jennie
Summary: Vaccines protect me, but even more important to me, they help me protect friends, family, and people I work with. Being a part of this project helps me to learn from others about how they understand vaccines, and will help me to be a better health care provider too.
Shafi
Summary: Since I was working in the behavioral part of the mental health domain found a few clients with nonvisible disabilities like intellectual/learning or communication disabilities who do not believe in vaccination or have not yet decided, or are not confident in the safety of the vaccines. Then I loved the challenges of changing the positive way of their lives through Dr. Gagneur's research.