Emerging Topics Podcast

ET15: Waning immunity, variants, and COVID-19 boosters 

In this episode of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) ConfidenceCast, we discuss how vaccine-induced immunity to SARS-CoV-2 has changed since first doses were administered, how variants are impacting vaccine effectiveness, and the role of bivalent vaccines in providing improved protection against the virus. The information presented in this episode is current as of November 2nd, 2022. For current guidance on COVID-19 vaccines please visit: National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

This public health podcast, brought to you by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in association with the Canadian Vaccination Evidence Resource and Exchange Centre (CANVax) is a podcast for health care providers and public health enthusiasts that brings the experts to your ears to discuss important issues related to vaccine confidence in Canada, such as behavioral science, vaccine science, immunology, routine vaccination, and other emerging issues.

ET13: Vaccine co-administration: procedures, considerations, and patient care

In this episode of Emerging Topics, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis discusses what vaccine co-administration is, when it is appropriate to co-administer vaccines, and how to speak with patients about co-administration.

For more information, please refer to Dr. Roumeliotis's video, Vaccine Administration Procedures for Health Care Professionals on Immunize Canada's website and YouTube page.  

ET12: Back to the Vax: How Two Former Anti-Vax Moms became Vaccine Advocates

In this episode of Emerging Topics, Lydia Greene and Heather Simpson, the co-founders of the blog, Back to the Vax: A Guide to Inoculating Yourself Against Anti-Vax Propaganda, tell us about their journey from being former anti-vax mothers to finding their way back to evidence-based medicine and becoming vaccine advocates.

ET11: Immunize.io taking the shot to improve immunization rates

In this episode of Emerging Topics, Ajit Johal, the Director Of Clinical Services at Immunize.io, tells us how his BC non-profit organization is providing education and increasing access to vaccines, including non-publicly funded vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines in order to improve immunizations rates in the community and around the world. 

ET10: Science vs. Supply: Addressing the decision to alter the two-dose schedule of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines

The recently published article, Science gave us excellent vaccines. Why bend the rules? in The Globe and Mail addresses the challenges in altering the recommended two-dose schedule for the two Canadian approved mRNA vaccines, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. In this episode of Emerging Topics, we speak to one of the authors, Dr. Alan Bernstein to tell us more about these challenges and what considerations should be taken on whether or not to delay the second-dose.

ET9: Kids Boost Immunity – Immunization Curriculum for Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ian Roe, co-founder of Kids Boost Immunity (KBI), discusses how the website provides teachers and health professionals with lessons on immunization and communicable diseases to engage students in grades 4 to 12. He also explains how KBI can be used to help address misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information about Kids Boost Immunity, visit http://kidsboostimmunity.com/.

ET8: Children’s Immunization Clinic in Ottawa – A collaboration between healthcare partners to provide infant vaccination during COVID-19

Dr. Trevor Arnason from Ottawa Public Health discusses how the Children’s Immunization Clinic was created and implemented in the beginning weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information about the Children’s Immunization Clinic at CHEO, visit https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/news/kids-come-first-starts-immunization-clinic-for-children.aspx.

ET7: Vaccine Communication: Responding to Media

Dr. Vinita Dubey describes how to respond to media when communicating about vaccines.

ET6: Vaccine Communication Strategies for a ‘Post-fact’ World

Dr. Eve Dubé describes evidence-based strategies that public health professionals can use to address vaccine hesitancy. Strategies include mass communication campaigns and one-on-one communication.

ET5: Improving Vaccine Uptake – The Implementation of a Hospital-Based Immunization Clinic

Jessica Merkley discusses how the British Columbia Children’s Hospital implemented a hospital-based immunization clinic, the first of its kind in Canada, to help improve vaccine uptake.

For more information about the BC Children's Hospital Immunization Clinic, visit http://www.bcchildrens.ca/our-services/clinics/family-immunization#About.

ET4: A Message for Public Health from a Former Vaccine Hesitant Mother – Tara Hills' journey from vaccine hesitancy to vaccine confidence

Tara Hills describes her journey from vaccine hesitancy to vaccine confidence and what public health can do to support parents who are vaccine hesitant. 

ET3: Needle Fear - Why should we care?

Dr. Meghan McMurtry explores the topic of needle fear and its impact on vaccine acceptance and uptake.

ET2: Mandatory Infant and Child Immunizations: The way forward to improving vaccine uptake?

Dr. Noni MacDonald discusses the rationale, issues, and knowledge gaps of mandatory childhood immunizations.

ET1: Building Vaccine Confidence in the Era of Fake News

Timothy Caulfield discusses the challenges and opportunities for strengthening immunization promotion and building vaccine confidence in an era of fake news.