Immunization in Alberta: Evidence, Equity, Action 

In collaboration with our valued partners, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the University of Calgary O’Brien Institute for Public Health, APHA presented early 2026 a four part webinar series: Immunization in Alberta: Evidence, Equity, Action. This webinar series highlights best practices, equity considerations, and opportunities to strengthen vaccine advocacy and policy across health care and public health. All webinar recordings can be found HERE.

Webinar 1: Realizing the future of vaccination for public health in Canada 

During this webinar, the Public Health Agency of Canada presented, Realizing the Future of Vaccination for Public Health, the 2024 annual report of the Chief Public Health Officer Report of Canada. The 2024 report offers a vision and framework to realize the full potential of vaccination, so that everyone, at every stage of life, can experience the benefits. It outlines ways to guide sustainable investments in vaccination, strengthen vaccination data and evidence systems, and expand collaboration mechanisms for the vaccination system. These efforts include supporting Canada’s public health system to strategically allocate resources, fill research and evidence gaps, and effectively work with provinces and territories, communities, regional jurisdictions, and First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments. The Public Health Agency of Canada also shared some lessons learned from local projects supported by its Immunization Partnership Fund.

Webinar 2: Strengthening immunization in Alberta through equity-focused community engagement

Equity is central to strengthening immunization systems and in Alberta, improving vaccine uptake requires meaningful engagement with communities that experience persistently low immunization coverage. This webinar explored barriers to vaccine access, trust and uptake among equity-deserving populations, including immigrant and refugee communities, Indigenous communities, and populations where trust, access and cultural context strongly shape vaccine decision-making. Drawing on clinical, community-based and population health experience, panelists shared insights on culturally responsive outreach, relationship-building, and strategies to support vaccine confidence and access across diverse settings. The session highlighted practical considerations for public health, health-care providers and policymakers seeking to advance equitable immunization programs in Alberta.

Webinar 3: Understanding vaccine hesitancy and misinformation in Alberta 

Vaccine hesitancy and misinformation continue to shape immunization decisions across Alberta, contributing to declining coverage and increasing the risk of outbreaks. Understanding how trust, access, lived experience and communication intersect is essential to strengthening immunization efforts across diverse communities and settings. This webinar explored the drivers of vaccine hesitancy and misinformation in Alberta, and how these factors interact with access barriers to influence vaccine uptake. Drawing on population-level data, community perspectives and clinical experience, the speakers examined trends in vaccine coverage, lessons from recent outbreaks, and practical strategies for addressing vaccine hesitancy. The session also highlighted effective communication approaches, resources for practitioners and the importance of building trust and shared understanding to support immunization decision-making.

Webinar 4: Advocacy and Policy in action 

As Alberta continues to face declining immunization rates and increasing misinformation, coordinated advocacy and evidence-informed policy have never been more important. This webinar session focused on strengthening immunization advocacy and policy across the province. Drawing on clinical experience, epidemiological research and data on public trust and perceptions, this session highlighted practical strategies to strengthen immunization systems and support evidence-informed decision-making. Speakers shared lessons from community–led approaches to immunization, explored effective partnerships between federal, provincial and community health leaders, and examined how evidence is translated into vaccine policy. Panelists also discussed the role of physicians and professional associations in advocacy, how public trust shapes policy decisions, and what cross-provincial comparisons reveal about funding and recommendations.