OTTAWA, ON – Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 – The Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) is urging the Canadian government to support initiatives to vaccinate healthcare workers, in Canada and abroad.
A national poll conducted by Abacus Data found 76% of Canadians support the idea that frontline healthcare workers, at home and abroad, should be one of the first groups to receive a vaccine when it is available. In fact, a vast majority (67%) responded they would be satisfied if the government of Canada invested funds to ensure every healthcare worker, everywhere, is vaccinated.
CanWaCH is bringing forward these findings as the federal, provincial and territorial governments work to prioritize distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine, and as Canada shapes its global leadership in the pandemic response.
“For nearly a year now, healthcare workers in Canada and around the world have walked into work every day to fight COVID-19, not knowing if today they catch it, if today they bring it home to their loved ones, not sure if they will survive the pandemic,” says Julia Anderson, CEO of CanWaCH. “It’s simple. We need to protect those who protect us, whether paid or unpaid healthcare workers.”
Of the 200 million workers that contribute to the health and social sector around the world, 70% are women and half of this contribution to global health by women is unpaid. Evidence from past pandemics and disease outbreaks clearly indicates women’s health suffers disproportionately to that of men. Approximately four in five healthcare workers around the world are women.
“At CanWaCH, we have a mandate to ensure that Canada is committed to taking the lead on global health. That’s why we’re championing this initiative to get healthcare workers vaccinated, here, there, everywhere.” says Anderson. “Canada has acquired more vaccines per person than any other country. We have the capacity, and the public will to ensure that there is equal distribution to healthcare workers globally.”
For the world to make it out of this pandemic, medical workers need to be healthy, physically and mentally. This means not only do we need to ensure vaccines are available, but that there are distribution methods in place to get healthcare workers around the world vaccinated. As the pandemic continues and numbers of cases increase, burnout is becoming a major factor in the medical field. COVID-19 is a global problem and requires a global response. It’s in the best interest of Canadians to ensure we are able to get healthcare workers vaccinated as quickly as possible.
“Canadians overwhelmingly recognize COVID-19 is a global problem,” said David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data. “Seventy-nine per cent agreed with the statement that unless COVID-19 is controlled in all parts of the world, life won’t be able to return to normal in Canada.”
More information related to the public opinion research can be found online at: https://abacusdata.ca/support-for-vaccinating-healthcare-workers/
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Media Contact:
Charmaine Crockett
Director, Stakeholder Engagement, CanWaCH
613-863-9489 | [email protected]
David Coletto
Chief Executive Officer, Abacus Data
[email protected]
613-884-4730
About CanWaCH
The Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) is comprised of approximately 100 Canadian non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic institutions, health professional associations and individuals partnering to improve health outcomes for women and children in more than 1,000 communities worldwide.
To learn more visit: canwach.ca
About Abacus Data
Abacus Data is an innovative, fast-growing public opinion and marketing research consultancy. We use the latest technology, sound science, and deep experience to generate top-flight research-based advice to our clients. We offer global research capacity with a strong focus on customer service, attention to detail and exceptional value. We are the only research and strategy firm that helps organizations respond to the disruptive risks and opportunities in a world where demographics and technology are changing more quickly than ever.
To learn more visit: abacusdata.ca
Published:
December 9, 2020
Author:
CanWaCH
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