Vaxxfest looks to boost vaccination rates among Indigenous youth

CALGARY — With vaccination rates remaining low for Indigenous youth in Alberta, a three-day vaccination drive aims to put the numbers in the right direction.

Vaxx Fest is running through Sunday, led by Indigenous doctors who want to ensure their communities are protected against COVID-19. It began in Morley on Friday, and is happening at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and then from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The group is called The Power of 100, and it evokes traditional lessons from the buffalo.

“When buffalo are under a threat, they form a protective circle around their young and they put them in the middle,” said Dr. James Makokis. “That’s what we need to do with COVID, is just ensure that we are protecting our future, standing together for our children who can’t get vaccinated, and maybe some of our elderly people.”

To make it more enticing, a series of prizes are available for people who take part ranging from gift cards up to a Playstation 5. Social media influencers are also on hand to share about the experience and meet with people as well.

---

READ MORE:

• Alberta’s top doc sends warning to Albertans falsifying vaccine records

• COVID-related hospitalizations continue record climb, 86% of ICU admissions unvaxxed

• Alberta vaccine card can easily be edited, forged

---

Makokis said it can be tough to reach younger people with this sort of health messaging, but they are aiming to give out about a thousand vaccinations a day as a best-case scenario.

“Making it an experience that they will be proud to be a part of and excited to be a part of. And also, with young people there is a certain sense of invincibility, like ‘I’m young, my immune system is good, I can’t get it and if I do it’s just going to be like the flu’,” he said.

He added there are many reasons why vaccinations have lagged in Indigenous communities, starting with a historical lack of trust in the government due to generations of abuses committed against their communities through residential schools and medical experiments.

“There’s very solid reasons why there’s a mistrust of the government, and what we’re really working to focus on is bringing together people in a good way that’s fun, that’s by Indigenous physicians and Indigenous health professionals, for Indigenous people.”

Makokis added they are following in the footsteps of ancestors who signed treaties ensuring Indigenous people would have access to medical treatments far in the future, and they want to be sure that children of the future continue to get protection.