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Vaccination Campaign

BCAFN Launches Vaccination Campaign

Mar 17, 2021 | 12:05 AM

Despite the threat that the COVID-19 virus poses to all British Columbians, the number of “vaccine hesitant” people continue to rise. Misinformation and the resulting erosion of trust in public health institutions is to blame. That’s why the BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) decided to launch a campaign to improve understanding of the COVID-19 vaccines and encourage First Nations, and all Canadians, to be vaccinated.

“Statistics Canada research shows that for people aged 15 to 64, over 40% are not planning to get vaccinated,” said BCAFN Regional Chief Terry Teegee. “That kind of number is unacceptably high when we’re trying to reach herd immunity and knock this virus out.”

The BCAFN’s campaign features a Public Service Announcement (PSA) currently airing on television, radio, and social media around the province. It features beautiful graphic visuals by Derek Edenshaw, a Haida and Cree artist, and a musical soundtrack by Kym Gouchie of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation.

“Our organization, the BCAFN, represents First Nations in this province, and we wanted to feature the creative capacities that exist in our communities in the video. But the message is certainly something that should resonate with everyone,” continued Teegee.

Teegee lends his own voice to the narration of the PSA, emphasizing that the vaccines are safe and that he will be getting his own vaccine as soon as it’s available. That has now happened, with Teegee receiving his vaccine, along with his family, from the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation where he lives.

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“There’s good reason why First Nations were provided priority access to the vaccine, starting with remote communities and then rolling out elsewhere. People in our communities are 40% more likely to contract COVID-19 than the general population, and I commend the First Nations Health Authority for rolling the vaccine out in a timely manner,” Teegee said.

You can see the PSA and read more about the COVID vaccines at bcafn.ca/vaccine.