Funding outcome

The provision of vaccinations in Canada must be inclusive, regardless of one's ethnicity, age, or immigration/refugee status. Canada prides itself on being a cultural mosaic of diverse coexisting ethnic groups, languages, and cultures. However, it is uncertain if these are properly acknowledged as factors that affect childhood vaccination uptake. The purpose of my research is to determine the gaps in Canadian studies regarding how childhood vaccination uptake is affected by equity determinants. For the purpose of this study, I will be focusing on ethnicity, race, culture, language, religion, and immigration/refugee status. I will conduct a scoping review to identify the accuracy of the measurement of equity characteristics in Canadian studies focused on childhood vaccination (birth to 17 years of age). To aid in the analyses, I will compare my Canadian findings to Australian and New Zealand's results. Australia and New Zealand have been chosen as these nations are comparable with vaccination programs and face similar health care issues. Furthermore, both countries are continuing their processes of reconciliation of intergenerational trauma inflicted upon their Indigenous groups (Maori, Indigenous Australians, First Nations, Metis, and Inuk) through colonial impositions. It is my belief that this research will contribute to the body of literature about equitable solutions for improving childhood vaccination coverage in Canada. It will also enlighten researchers in the field of immunization in Canada and elsewhere about gaps in research regarding recognition and measurement of diversity characteristics that have important impacts on equity in vaccine access. In doing so, it will allow for more transferable literature and equitable solutions for improving pediatric vaccination coverage in Canada.