The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life for people everywhere. In Canada, a vaccination campaign called This Is Our Shot is fighting back against the virus. This campaign helps people feel comfortable about getting the COVID-19 vaccine. It reduces fears and doubts, and its message is clear: “Take your shot, Canada!”
We cover Canada’s free vaccine program and where to get vaccinated. You’ll find the latest vaccine news and learn how It’s Our Shot brings Canadians together.
The campaign aims to get as many people vaccinated as possible. More vaccinations mean beating the pandemic faster. It’s about returning to normal – seeing family, meeting friends, and enjoying life as before. This Is Our Shotis working to keep Canada safe and healthy. Read on to learn how.
Background of the Campaign
The This Is Our Shot campaign didn’t come from a big organization or the government. It started with regular people, like healthcare workers and community leaders, who saw the need to get everyone on board with vaccination. They understood that to fight the pandemic, everyone needed to be informed and confident about vaccines. The widely viewed This Is Our Shot commercial played a significant role in spreading awareness and encouraging Canadians to take action.
Key Partners
The campaign has gained the support of more than 250 organizations from all over Canada. This includes not just local communities and healthcare workers but also some well-known companies. The combined support of these groups has helped the campaign get attention and reach people from all parts of the country. Additionally, the initiative highlights the availability of Canada’s free vaccine, ensuring that everyone, regardless of financial status, has access to vaccination.
Mission and Vision
The mission of the campaign is to help build healthier communities by making sure people know the facts about the COVID-19 vaccines. Their vision is to unite Canadians and ensure that everyone, no matter where they live or who they are, has access to reliable and accurate information. The campaign relies on trusted healthcare workers and local leaders to get the message out because people tend to trust those who are part of their own community.
What the Campaign Wants to Achieve
Primary Goal
The main goal of the campaign is to reduce vaccine hesitancy – that is, the fear or doubt some people have about getting vaccinated. This Is Our Shot wants to make sure Canadians feel comfortable with the decision to get vaccinated by giving them the right information, sharing positive stories, and helping them see the benefits of the vaccine.
Secondary Goals
Apart from reducing fear about the vaccine, the campaign also aims to:
- Fight Misinformation: Correct the false information that’s spreading about the COVID-19 vaccines by sharing accurate facts.
- Promote Health Equity: Make sure that underserved communities have the same access to vaccines and accurate information as everyone else.
- Encourage Inclusivity: Provide information in different languages and adapt it to suit various cultural groups so that everyone understands and feels included in the message.
Main Campaign Components
The This Is Our Shot campaign works in several ways to reach people across the country and help them feel confident about getting vaccinated.
Town Hall Meetings
One key part of the campaign is the regular live town hall meetings. These are online events where healthcare experts answer questions from the public. They are held in different languages so people can hear the information in a way that makes sense to them. These town halls are a great way for people to get accurate, real-time answers to their concerns about the vaccine.
Getting the Word Out on Social Media
Social media plays a huge role in spreading the message of the campaign. Using platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, the campaign encourages Canadians to share their own vaccination stories. They use hashtags like #ThisIsOurShotCA and #TogetherAgain to spread the word and build momentum.
Celebrities like Ryan Reynolds and Clara Hughes have also joined the campaign, using their fame to help reach even more people. The campaign encourages everyone to buy and wear a This Is Our Shot shirt, share their vaccination stories online, and tag their posts with the campaign’s hashtags. The This Is Our Shot Canada t-shirt became a symbol of support for vaccination, featured in the widely viewed This Is Our Shot commercial. These commercials, along with social media efforts, helped raise awareness across the country and inspire others to get vaccinated.
Fundraising Efforts
In addition to promoting vaccination, the campaign also raises money for a good cause. All proceeds from the sales of This Is Our Shot t-shirts go to Kids Help Phone, a charity that supports the mental health of young people in Canada. The movement also introduced vaccine shirts as a way for supporters to showcase their commitment to public health. So far, the campaign has raised over $111,000 for this charity, showing that it’s about more than just vaccines – it’s also about helping people in tough times.
Reaching Diverse Communities
One of the campaign’s greatest strengths is how it focuses on reaching everyone, including people from diverse communities. The campaign recognizes that not everyone faces the same challenges when it comes to getting vaccinated. Some communities may not have easy access to vaccines, and others might have unique concerns or experiences that need to be addressed.
The campaign doesn’t just translate the information into different languages. It goes further by tailoring the messages to fit the needs of specific communities. This makes sure that the information feels personal and relevant, so people are more likely to listen and act on it.
Along with the main campaign, there is also a sister campaign called VacunateYa, which focuses on the Latinx community. This initiative provides vaccine information directly from Latinx healthcare professionals to make sure the Latinx community gets the facts in a way that speaks to their specific needs and concerns.
How This Is Our Shot is Making a Difference
Looking at the Numbers
The This Is Our Shot campaign has played an important role in encouraging millions of Canadians to get vaccinated. While it’s hard to measure exactly how much the campaign has influenced vaccination numbers, its wide reach and the participation of trusted figures have undoubtedly helped increase the number of people getting their shots. The campaign has made it easier for people to feel comfortable about getting vaccinated by providing clear and reliable information.
Getting Help from Famous Faces
The involvement of celebrities and well-known companies has also helped the campaign get noticed. When famous people like Ryan Reynolds support the campaign, it grabs attention and makes it easier for the message to spread. This support from celebrities and companies has helped normalize conversations about vaccines and made people feel more comfortable talking about getting vaccinated.
Making a Difference in Local Communities
One of the most important aspects of the campaign is its focus on local communities. Grassroots organizations have been leading the way in organizing vaccination clinics and ensuring that everyone, including those in remote areas or underserved communities, has access to vaccines. These local efforts are key to the campaign’s success because they ensure that no one is left out.
How to Get Involved
Want to be part of This Is Our Shot? Here’s how:
- Get your vaccine if you haven’t already, and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
- Buy a “This Is Our Shot” t-shirt in Canada and wear it proudly.
- Share your vaccination story on social media using the campaign’s hashtags.
Current State of COVID-19 Vaccination in Canada
As of 2024, Canada has made significant progress in its COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Nationally, 81.1% of the population has received at least one dose of the Canadian COVID vaccine, and boosters, such as the updated XBB.1.5 vaccines, are now widely available. Vaccination rates are especially high among older age groups, with more than 94.9% of adults aged 60 and older having received at least one dose of the Canada COVID vaccine.
However, efforts continue to ensure that underserved communities and younger populations have equal access to vaccines. For instance, only 8.4% of children aged 0-4 have received at least one dose, highlighting the need for continued outreach.
Vaccines remain one of the most effective ways to protect against respiratory viruses like COVID-19, the flu, and RSV, especially as we head into the colder months. In line with public health recommendations, all Canadians aged 6 months and older are encouraged to stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination. For those who have not yet received a dose of the COVID-19 Canada vaccine, it’s never too late to take action.
Where to Get Free Vaccines by Province and Territory
For Canadians seeking to receive their vaccination COVID-19, free vaccinations are available across all provinces and territories at various clinics, pharmacies, and health centres. The table below provides key information on how and where to book your appointment:
Province/Territory | How to Get Vaccinated |
|---|---|
Alberta | Book your appointment through the Alberta Vaccine Portal or visit participating pharmacies. |
British Columbia | Register and book through the Get Vaccinated system. You can also call 1-833-838-2323. |
Manitoba | Use the Vaccine Finder to locate vaccine clinics, doctors’ offices, and pharmacies. |
New Brunswick | Book through COVID-19 Vaccine Info or local pharmacies. |
Newfoundland & Labrador | Contact local Public Health Offices or your pharmacy for vaccine availability. |
Nova Scotia | Book through NS Health or participating pharmacies. |
Ontario | Use the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre or call 1-833-943-3900. |
Prince Edward Island | Book online via Health PEI or call 1-844-975-3303. |
Quebec | Visit Clic Santé to book a vaccine appointment when available. |
Saskatchewan | Book through the Saskatchewan Vaccine Portal or visit walk-in clinics in the fall. |
Northwest Territories | Contact your local public health unit or visit participating pharmacies for walk-in vaccinations. |
Nunavut | Call your local health centre for appointment availability and vaccine updates. |
Yukon | Vaccines are available at local community health centres or Whitehorse pharmacies. Call 867-667-8864 to book in Whitehorse. |
For additional assistance, you can also visit Vaccines.gov, which helps guide you to nearby vaccination clinics, including pharmacies, across Canada.
Keeping the Momentum Going
Even though many Canadians have been vaccinated, the work isn’t over. The Canada vaccine campaign, including widespread vaccination ads and initiatives like rewards for change, has been pivotal in encouraging uptake. The campaign not only highlights the health benefits of receiving the Canadian vaccine, but also emphasizes vaccination rewards, such as incentives and community-driven efforts. Many provinces have used creative vaccine ads and social media to promote vaccine celebration moments, where communities come together to mark their progress in battling the pandemic.
The campaign is asking Canadians to keep talking about the importance of vaccines and to help ensure that everyone, especially those who might be left out, can get reliable information.
To wrap it up, This Is Our Shot vaccine commercial shows what can happen when Canadians unite for a good cause. I got the shot, have you? It’s more than just a campaign about vaccines – it’s a powerful example of how communities can collaborate to solve big problems.
Remember, we all have a shot at making things better. Let’s take it together.