Epidemiology, Public Health & Implementation

epidemiology-public-health-implementation, science-brief

| November 4, 2021

COVID Risk Mitigation in Large Retail Settings

epidemiology-public-health-implementation, science-brief

| October 26, 2021

Behavioural Science-Informed Strategies for Increasing COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Children and Youth

Using evidence from other successful childhood vaccination programs and from behavioural science, we identify four broad evidence-based strategies for increasing COVID-19 vaccination uptake in children and youth: 1) School-based vaccination, 2) Healthcare provider recommendation, 3) Reminders and recall systems, and 4) Public health communication campaigns. Across each intervention, behavioural science principles can be used to optimize COVID-19 vaccination uptake amongst children and youth including leveraging recommendations from trusted sources; tailoring messaging and experience to children, youth, and their parents/caregivers through individual and population-based approaches; and ensuring special considerations for reaching at-risk and racialized communities.

epidemiology-public-health-implementation, science-brief

| October 22, 2021

Update on COVID-19 Projections

epidemiology-public-health-implementation, science-brief

| October 9, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence in Ontario and Strategies to Support Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Among at Risk Populations

Overall confidence in COVID-19 vaccines amongst Ontarians has remained within the range of 72% to 76%. It is important to understand which individuals and groups have lower vaccine confidence, and why, as this knowledge can support a tailored and informed response. Survey data from 28,660 Ontarians reveal that individuals with lower confidence in COVID-19 vaccines tend to have a lower household income, are more likely to be unable to work from home, and self-identify as racialized (a race other than white European). Lower vaccine confidence is associated with a complex set of factors including health inequities, systemic barriers to accessing health care, and mistrust in government and health care institutions. Community-level strategies, outreach, and interventions can address the drivers of lower vaccine confidence. These strategies include engagement with local leaders, and partnerships with trusted individuals and organizations to build confidence and drive increased vaccine uptake.

epidemiology-public-health-implementation, science-brief

| September 28, 2021

Update on COVID-19 Projections

epidemiology-public-health-implementation, science-brief

| September 1, 2021

Update on COVID-19 Projections

epidemiology-public-health-implementation, science-brief

| August 26, 2021

The Role of Wastewater Testing for SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance

Wastewater testing for SARS-CoV-2 is relatively new; however, it builds on existing public health surveillance infrastructure. There is a limited but growing evidence base for its use, despite notable interpretation challenges. Wastewater testing results have helped to inform public health policy and interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario and other jurisdictions. Wastewater testing for SARS-CoV-2 is useful for early detection of outbreaks and surges as well as population-wide surveillance of COVID-19 that is complementary to clinical testing. Further, it offers an efficient means of SARS-CoV-2 surveillance for specific settings such as correctional facilities, shelters, and university residences. Wastewater testing can also be used for the detection and monitoring of variants of concern (VOCs).

epidemiology-public-health-implementation, science-brief

| June 23, 2021

Strategies to Support Ontarians’ Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation for COVID-19 Vaccination

As of June 12, 2021, over 7 million (more than 51%) Ontarians have been vaccinated with one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and over 1 million (more than 12%) have received two doses.1 Most (76%) Ontarians report wanting to get a COVID-19 vaccine;2 however, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 requires more than motivation alone. A combination of capability, opportunity and motivation (key drivers of behaviour) are needed to ensure everyone who wants to get vaccinated, is able to do so.3 Of note, strategies to support these drivers of behaviour are not always available, or provided equally or consistently across Ontario.4,5 Behavioural science-informed strategies can address capability and opportunity barriers facing people who are already motivated to get vaccinated to get both doses of the COVID-19 vaccines. These strategies will be key to achieving the goal of a maximally vaccinated population. Among those with lower vaccine confidence,2 further addressing known motivation-related barriers can help support Ontarians in reaching the decision that is right for them. This includes leveraging trusted sources (such as health care professionals and community leaders) to address concerns about the speed of vaccine development and potential side effects, implementing supports to increase ease and opportunity for each dose, and employing effective communication (i.e., articulating when, where, and how) around available supports to enable capability and opportunity. This brief is designed to complement and enhance existing vaccination rollout campaigns in Ontario. The intent is to provide behavioural science-informed insights into which strategies and policies can be leveraged to address multifaceted vaccination barriers, enabling Ontarians to get each dose. As vaccine supply continues to increase in the province, this strategy will accelerate Ontario’s race to maximize immunity and support a post-pandemic Ontario.

epidemiology-public-health-implementation, science-brief

| June 10, 2021

Update on COVID-19 Projections

epidemiology-public-health-implementation, science-brief

| May 31, 2021

Lessons Learned from Israel’s Reopening During a Nationwide COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign

Israel maintained an overall decrease in SARS-CoV-2 cases and COVID-19 hospitalizations, ICU admissions, and deaths throughout all phases of reopening. Key elements of Israel’s reopening included a high proportion of adults receiving 2 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, a phased approach prioritizing the reopening of outdoor activities and schools first, and a ‘Green Pass’ or vaccination certificate allowing fully vaccinated or COVID-19 recovered individuals to enter higher SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk settings.

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