The funded project seeks to better understand the complex factors influencing immunization uptake in New Brunswick. Findings from this work will help identify barriers to vaccination and inform evidence-based recommendations to strengthen public health messaging, improve equitable access to immunization, and enhance the effectiveness of vaccination programs province-wide.

Congratulations to the following:

Dr. Jalila Jbilou – Université de Moncton - $80,000
Equitable Pediatric Vaccine Uptake in New Brunswick (EquiVaxNB Project): Enhancing Surveillance and Public Health Response-PHASE 1.
Recent data from 2023–2024 show that 28% of New Brunswick students did not meet immunization requirements for school entry. This gap increases the risk of disease outbreaks, weakens herd immunity, and places added strain on vulnerable populations and the healthcare system.

The EquiVaxNB Project is a collaborative research initiative focused on improving equitable access to pediatric vaccines in New Brunswick. Led by a multidisciplinary team—Dr. Jalila Jbilou (community and behavioral medicine), Dr. Lachance-Grzela (social psychology), and Dr. El Adlouni (statistical modeling and sampling techniques)—the project brings together public health experts, regional and provincial public health authorities, community organizations, population representatives, and academic partners. Its goal is to better understand and address barriers and enablers to pediatric vaccination uptake, with particular attention to underserved populations. An advisory panel of experts will be established to oversee research activities and community engagement.

While vaccines are a cornerstone of public health, access remains uneven. Newcomers, refugees, Indigenous communities, and vulnerable families with young children often face barriers such as language challenges, transportation issues, rural isolation, poverty, mistrust of the healthcare system, misinformation, and deeply rooted cultural beliefs. In New Brunswick, these challenges are compounded by geographic isolation, socioeconomic disparities, limited access to healthcare services in rural and Indigenous communities, and the absence of a centralized immunization registry, which hinders effective monitoring and timely public health responses.

EquiVaxNB aims to identify key barriers and enablers to pediatric vaccination uptake and to work directly with vulnerable communities to co-create practical solutions. Data will be collected through surveys, group discussions, and workshops involving community members and organizations that support underserved populations, including CAFi/MAGMA, Refugee Clinics, First Nations groups, HeadStart, and the Association francophone des parents du Nouveau-Brunswick. The advisory panel will play a central role in guiding the research to ensure its relevance for policy and practice.

Using statistical modeling, the team will analyze patterns and gaps in pediatric vaccine access, facilitate group discussions, and host a two-day workshop to develop actionable recommendations for public health strategies and interventions. The project will also establish and refine indicators to monitor pediatric vaccine uptake over time, supporting sustained progress.

Findings will be shared through quarterly briefings with key partners, a final report with policy recommendations, and community presentations and webinars. Accessible knowledge-mobilization tools—including infographics, flyers, and short videos—will help reach a broad audience, while academic publications and conference presentations will contribute to advancing evidence-based practice.