April 7, 2021 (OTTAWA, ON) – Canada’s largest nurses’ organization has launched a national campaign encouraging the public to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions has released a public service announcement and website providing information and resources about the distribution, safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.
“Nurses have launched this campaign because we know that the COVID-19 vaccines administered in Canada are tested, safe and the most effective way to resume the activities we’ve all put on hold for a year – like seeing our friends and family,” said Linda Silas, president of the CFNU and a former ICU nurse.
The campaign aims to decrease vaccine hesitancy across Canada, particularly among people who may be concerned about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. As patient and health care advocates, nurses are asking the public to trust scientific evidence and do their part to contribute to herd immunity and the safety of their families and communities.
“Nurses know things will only get worse if we don’t all do our part to stop the spread of the virus. All it takes is three simple steps: find out when it’s your turn, get your vaccine, and share this information with your friends and family,” said Silas.
To date, more than 4,527,000 people in Canada have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. In the first real-world data from countries in which large proportions of the populations have been vaccinated, vaccine efficacy is about 70 to 90 percent or higher, similar to the results of the original clinical trials.
“In order to make sure everyone is safe from COVID-19, we need to work together. I urge everyone to visit the campaign website and spread the word – because there’s only one way to get back to regular life,” said Silas. “Get the vaccine when it’s your turn.”
For more information, visit the campaign website at TrustNurses.ca.