Press Release: Nova Scotia must ensure equitable vaccine access for migrants, say migrant justice advocates and health experts

Photo: Screenshot from press conference on June 9, 2021

Halifax/Kjipuktuk - On June 9, 2021, migrant justice advocates and health experts spoke at a virtual press conference urging the Nova Scotia government to take immediate action to improve vaccine access for migrants, including people without migration status, refugee claimants, international students and migrant workers. 

The Nova Scotia government has stated that anyone in the province over the age of 12 is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of immigration status. However, the speakers pointed to a number of barriers hindering equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine and highlighted the importance of all community members who wish to receive the vaccine, to be able to do so. 

“We are calling for changes to ensure a safe, accessible and just vaccine plan that doesn’t leave migrants behind. Right now, we are seeing inequitable access to the vaccine. For example, migrants without Nova Scotia Health Cards are not able to use the online booking system to schedule their appointments, while Nova Scotians are able to do so. Migrant workers, in particular, are forced to rely on their employers to book their vaccines, which increases the risk of coercion and reprisals. Mobile outreach clinics for migrant workers in proximity to where they live and work, would make it easier for those who wish to receive the vaccine to do so,” said Stacey Gomez, member of No one is illegal - Halifax/Kjipuktuk (NOII-Hfx) and the Migrant Worker Rights Working Group. 

“A crucial part of health equity and the ability for us to end this pandemic, is the capacity for every person who wants it to be able to access the vaccine and for those processes to not lead to interactions with other state institutions like the Canada Border Services Agency, that cause harm,” said Tari Ajadi, PhD student in Political Science at Dalhousie University. 

“During the pandemic we have seen that people who are racialized and have precarious immigration status have been put at higher risk of being infected with the COVID-19 virus. Ensuring safe, barrier-free access to vaccines for all, regardless of immigration status, needs to be a fundamental part of the public health response,” said Monika Dutt, MD, public health and family physician at the Ally Centre of Cape Breton. 

"We have been through extraordinary times and we acknowledge the effort made by Public Health and front-line workers to provide support to under-served and under-represented people. Now is the moment for smart policy: recognizing that removing structural and systemic barriers leads to a safer, healthier society for all,” said Shiva Nourpanah, Halifax Refugee Clinic Board Member and Adjunct Prof, Dalhousie and Saint Mary's University. 

“We recognize that the root of unequal access to the vaccine is lack of access to public healthcare, as well as inequalities tied to immigration status and racism. We continue to call for full and permanent immigration status, as well as access to public healthcare for all migrants,” added Gomez. 

On June 7th, NOII-Hfx released a campaign video which featured community members voicing their support for improved vaccine access for migrants. 

Media Contact:

No One is Illegal – Halifax/Kjipuktuk

(902) 329-9595 

NOII.Hfx@gmail.com 

Media Coverage:

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