COVID-19
UPDATES on COVID-19
Our members continue to battle COVID-19 in our communities, and provide the primary care necessary to fight this virus. The IPHCC continues to advocate on behalf of our members for solutions that ensure the well-being of Indigenous peoples, while valuing their unique needs of our members. We are also working to co-develop funding proposals and coordinating group purchases of personal protective equipment for our members.
How IPHCC is Supporting our Members
Since March, the IPHCC has supported Indigenous governed primary health care organizations as we navigate these unprecedented times together. We helped our members and associates access PPE, facilitated the sharing of wise practices, and advocated at provincial and federal levels for equitable and ethical access to funding, contact tracing, and testing and assessment
Now that we have entered the second wave, the IPHCC’s ongoing response activities include:
- Continuing to advocate on behalf of our members
- Using data to share our sector’s COVID story
- Securing funding so that our members can enhance their mental health and addictions care capacity
- Monitoring PPE availability
Gashkiwidoon Toolkit:
COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Toolkit
6 Steps to Effective Engagement for Vaccine Distribution with Indigenous Peoples
During the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, it’s important that health agencies effectively engage with Indigenous communities, a priority group, in the planning process. To learn more about how to effectively engage Indigenous Peoples, please follow the link below.
IPHCC’s Input on Vaccine Prioritization and Dissemination
The IPHCC has developed the following input for inclusion into the provincial prioritization and dissemination strategies for Covid-19 vaccines.
COVID-19 Education Session with Dr. Daniel Warshafsky
Thank you for joining the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council, the Alliance for Healthier Communities, and the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario on Wednesday June 9th afternoon for the COVID-19 Education Session with Dr. Daniel Warshafsky, Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Dr. Warshafsky provided updates on vaccine efficacy, breakthrough cases, Variants of Concern, vaccinations for youth, as well as a number of other questions raised by attendees.
Nicole Blackman, Provincial Director at the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council also spoke about why it was crucial that Indigenous people are prioritized to receive vaccines.
Fact Sheets – COVID-19 Vaccines for Ontario
Public Health authorities have begun rolling out COVID-19 vaccines to prioritized populations, including segments of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. Despite the prioritization of these populations, there may be barriers to the uptake of COVID -19 vaccinations across our communities for numerous complex and context-specific reasons. One of the barriers identified by our communities and by service providers, decision-makers, Elders and Knowledge Keepers is a lack of culturally safe and relevant educational materials about vaccination. It is critical to address this need urgently due to the rising rates of covid within some of our communities as well as the ongoing barriers related to a lack of cultural safety in the healthcare system.
Official Public Health Guidelines
This section features COVID-19-related links to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments and public health authorities throughout the country as well as internationally.
RESOURCES
Government of Canada
Indigenous Services Canada
Indigenous Health Information
Government of Canada
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
International Public Health Resources
Government of Canada –
Indigenous Services Canada
Resources and information related to COVID-19 intended to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in preparing for, monitoring and responding to COVID-19. Find the latest second wave outbreak data, mental health and wellness, PPE and vaccine distribution plans, as well as information on specific support for students, children and families, as well as businesses, communities and other organizations.
Indigenous Health Information
COVID-19 related resources made available by First Nations, Inuit and Métis organizations nationally or regionally on subjects such as: infection prevention and control, mental wellness, social and economic supports, training opportunities, regional contact information, 24h crisis lines, daily updates and videos, emergency preparedness, travel advice, and guidance documents in a variety of Indigenous languages or intended specifically for urban, rural, remote or northern communities.
- Assembly of First Nations (AFN) – COVID-19
- Métis National Council – COVID19
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) – COVID-19 Infographics
- Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) – COVID-19 Information
- National Aboriginal Council of Midwives (NACM)
- First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) – Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Government of Canada –
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
Resources and information on COVID-19, including: current situation data, symptoms and treatment for individuals, prevention and control measures, financial and economic support, re-opening businesses and schools, travel and immigration, as well as advice for seniors, veterans, parents and children.
International Public Health Resources
Guidance documents and other information related to COVID-19 produced by international organizations or foreign countries, with a special focus on resources specifically intended for Indigenous individuals, organizations and communities.