NOSM dean urges 'open, respectful' discussion around vaccine hesitancy

A northern Ontario health leader is lending her voice to those of otherOntario doctors in an effortto clear up misinformation and myths surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine.

Northern Ontario School of Medicine deanDr. Sarita Vermatook part in amedia briefing on Wednesday withDr. Upton Allen of SickKids andDr. Noah Iversof Women's College Hospital, both in Toronto. The briefing was organized by the Ontario Medical Association.

They spoke about vaccine safety and addressedconcerns of vulnerable and racialized communities.

Verma pointed out that, fornorthern Ontario, theimpressions of Indigenous communities areextremely important.

"As we're partnering with Ornge to [provide vaccines to]fly-in communities in remote areas, vaccine hesitancy ... is related to the legacy of the history of being experimented upon ... in residential schools. That created distrust and is still in living memory," she said.

Taking a patient-centeredapproach in northern Ontario First Nations communities is key.

"As a BIPOCperson, I know that racialized communities are extremely affected more than other communities. And that's not because of race. It's because of racism. It's because there are health inequities," Verma said.

Vaccine hesitancy nothing new

The medical association says getting a COVID-19 vaccination "will be one of the most important and effective things Ontarians can do to stop the pandemic once vaccines become widely available."

And they want people to start turning to doctors foradvice instead of questionable sources. The association has launched a series of videos on its website thatoffer answers to the most-askedCOVID-19 vaccinequestions.

OMA represents more than 43,000 physicians and medical students across the province.

Inall vaccination programs, Verma says there is anelement of hesitancy amongpeople.

She says there are those who haveexperiences, or have family experiences, where there have been adverse side effects.

"Theyhear about them and are concerned about them. And so that needs to be discussed with them in an open and transparent way."

For those who simply distrust thehealth care system not thevaccine itself they require a culturally competent,patient-centered andcommunity-centered approach,Verma said.

"If you look at what Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is doing in northern Ontario with the Nisnawbe-Aski Nation populations, he'spersonally calling all the chiefs and personally posting a picture of his mother getting the vaccine.And these are ways to deal with that group of people who have historical distrust."

Verma also talked about those who have beenmisinformed and "actually believe that there's a conspiracy going on."

She says she thinks many people in this group have "been influenced by a lot of the dystopian science fiction information that's out there."

Having conversations with people who believe "distorted facts" requires "respectful, personalized conversations about why they're concerned," she said.

"And, of course, still offering them the opportunity to bevaccinated, at least on the concept of courageous citizenry."