Lessons Learned Conducting Implementation Science Research on the COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout During a Global Pandemic

Authors

  • Dane Mauer-Vakil University of Waterloo
  • Christoffer Dharma University of Toronto
  • Mercedes Sobers University of Toronto
  • Kainat Bashir University of Toronto
  • Vajini Atukorale University of Toronto
  • Mariame Ouedraogo University of Toronto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15273/hpj.v3i4.11588

Keywords:

health equity, COVID-19

Abstract

When the COVID-19 virus rapidly spread across Canada in 2020, provinces and territories implemented various vaccine rollout plans. This commentary shares the experience of an implementation science research group conducting an equity-focused evaluation of the vaccine rollout plans of six Canadian provinces through a literature review and key informant interviews. Key lessons learned include employing humility to understand varying perspectives, appreciating the importance of limiting project scope, and developing strategies for connecting with decision-makers.

Author Biographies

Dane Mauer-Vakil, University of Waterloo

PhD Student, School of Public Health Sciences

Christoffer Dharma, University of Toronto

PhD Candidate, Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Mercedes Sobers, University of Toronto

PhD Candidate, Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Kainat Bashir, University of Toronto

PhD Candidate, Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation

Vajini Atukorale, University of Toronto

PhD Candidate, Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Mariame Ouedraogo, University of Toronto

PhD Candidate, Dalla Lana School of Public Health

References

Bashir, K., Ouedraogo, M., Dharma, C., Sobers, M., Atukorale, V., Mauer-Vakil, D., Ataullahjan, A., Fadel, S., & Allin, S. (2023). Strategies for greater access and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines by high-risk populations across Canada and determinants influencing their implementation. [Manuscript in preparation]. Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto

Bauer, M. S., Damschroder, L., Hagedorn, H., Smith, J., & Kilbourne, A. M. (2015). An introduction to implementation science for the non-specialist. BMC Psychology, 3, Article 32. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-015-0089-9

Gaglio, B., Shoup, J. A., & Glasgow, R. E. (2013). The RE-AIM framework: A systematic review of use over time. American Journal of Public Health, 103(6), e38–e46. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2013.301299

Sobers, M., Atukorale, V., Mauer-Vakil, D., Bashir, K., Ouedraogo, M., Dharma, C., Ataullahjan, A., Fadel, S., & Allin, S. (2023). An equity-focused evaluation of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout plans proposed by six Canadian provinces [Manuscript in preparation]. Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto

A close up photo of a knitted yarn from artist Emilee Fackelmann

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Published

2023-11-29

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 4 (2023): Fall 2023

Section

Research Note

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Dane Mauer-Vakil, Christoffer Dharma, Mercedes Sobers, Kainat Bashir, Vajini Atukorale, Mariame Ouedraogo

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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