Key Insights from Latincouver’s Immunization Roundtable
Strengthening community health requires more than access to medical services. It requires trust, clear information, and strong collaboration between institutions and communities.
In a recent roundtable organized by Latincouver, healthcare professionals, researchers, community leaders, and institutional partners came together to discuss key challenges and opportunities surrounding immunization, prevention, and vaccine confidence in Canada.
The conversation explored three key themes:
- Strategies to address the risks of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Measles outbreaks and prevention strategies
- The growing impact of vaccine misinformation on communities
The event created a collaborative space for dialogue and shared learning between experts and community organizations working to improve public health outcomes across diverse communities.
“Community health is not only about access to services, but also about access to trust, information, and dialogue.”
— Paola Murillo, Executive Director, Latincouver
A Collaborative Conversation on Public Health
The panel brought together experts from public health, academia, community organizations, and diplomatic institutions, each offering unique perspectives on vaccination and community health.
Director Duberlis Ramos, from the Hispanic Development Council in Toronto, shared insights from his work supporting Hispanic communities through culturally responsive education and prevention initiatives.
Dr. Jorge Filmus, professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto, contributed a scientific and research-based perspective on vaccination and public health communication.
Dr. Irene Santos, a health promotion professional at the Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op, discussed her experience working with diverse communities and addressing linguistic and cultural barriers to healthcare access.
Dr. Meena Dawar, Medical Health Officer at Vancouver Coastal Health, provided a public health leadership perspective, focusing on immunization programs and disease prevention strategies in British Columbia.
Dr. César Ávila, a family physician trained in Colombia and Spain, shared his experience working with Latin American communities and promoting immunization strategies among vulnerable populations.
Finally, Antonio Arriaga Valdez, Honorary Consul General of Costa Rica in Vancouver, highlighted the role that diplomatic and community institutions can play in sharing health information with immigrant communities.
HPV Prevention: Education, Trust, and Community Engagement
The first segment of the discussion focused on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and how healthcare systems and community organizations are working to increase awareness and vaccination coverage.
Dr. Meena Dawar explained that the HPV immunization program in British Columbia has evolved significantly since it was first introduced.
Initially delivered as a three-dose series, the program has been updated as new research emerged and is now primarily delivered through school-based immunization programs for youth.
Public health teams work directly with families and students to ensure they understand the benefits of vaccination and to address any concerns.
“Whenever a new vaccine program is introduced, families naturally have questions. Those conversations with parents and youth are where we build understanding and trust.”
— Dr. Meena Dawar, Vancouver Coastal Health
Today, HPV vaccination coverage among Grade 9 students in British Columbia has reached approximately 85%, approaching Canada’s national target of 90%.
However, panelists also noted that HPV can be a sensitive topic in some communities, particularly because the virus is transmitted through sexual contact.
Dr. Irene Santos highlighted how cultural norms and language barriers can sometimes limit conversations around prevention.
“Many people do not have someone they can talk to about health in their own language. That creates uncertainty and hesitation.”
— Dr. Irene Santos
Panelists agreed that culturally responsive education and trusted community outreach are key to improving awareness and prevention.
Community Organizations as Trusted Bridges
Community organizations often play a critical role in connecting healthcare systems with immigrant communities.
Duberlis Ramos, representing the Hispanic Development Council in Toronto, emphasized that building trust requires long-term engagement and consistent education.
“This conversation reminds me of the experience we had during the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1990s. These issues require long-term education and community dialogue.”
— Duberlis Ramos
Ramos explained that many community organizations focus on education and prevention, even when they are not direct healthcare providers.
Through partnerships with institutions such as Cancer Care Ontario, his organization has helped promote awareness around cervical cancer prevention and HPV vaccination.
“When people trust the messenger, they are more willing to engage in the conversation.”
— Duberlis Ramos
He also stressed the importance of collaboration between experts and community organizations.
“Having experts participate in these conversations helps build credibility and trust within the community.”
Measles Outbreaks and the Importance of Vaccination
The discussion then shifted to measles outbreaks, which have re-emerged in several regions despite the disease being preventable through vaccination.
Experts explained that measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world, and controlling outbreaks requires vaccination coverage of around 95% of the population.
Dr. Meena Dawar noted that most outbreaks begin through international travel.
“Every measles outbreak starts the same way — someone travels, is exposed to the virus, and brings it back to a community where people are not protected.”
— Dr. Meena Dawar
The COVID-19 pandemic also disrupted routine vaccination programs in many regions, creating temporary gaps in immunization coverage.
However, strong vaccine confidence in the Lower Mainland has helped prevent widespread transmission.
Antonio Arriaga Valdez highlighted the role that consulates and diplomatic institutions can play in sharing health information with immigrant communities.
“Consulates are a direct point of contact for many immigrants and can help share important health information with their communities.”
— Antonio Arriaga Valdez
The Global Impact of Vaccine Misinformation
Another major theme of the discussion was the spread of vaccine misinformation, particularly on social media platforms.
Dr. Jorge Filmus explained that misinformation often travels faster than scientific evidence and can create confusion among parents and communities.
“False information spreads very quickly, especially on social media. That makes it critical for experts to engage directly with communities.”
— Dr. Jorge Filmus
Dr. César Ávila emphasized that declining vaccination coverage due to misinformation could lead to the resurgence of preventable diseases.
“The anti-vaccination movement represents a serious global public health challenge.”
— Dr. César Ávila
Panelists stressed that addressing misinformation requires empathetic conversations, accessible information, and trusted community messengers.
Dr. Irene Santos highlighted the importance of clear explanations and positive historical examples of vaccination success.
“When people understand the facts and the history of vaccines, they are better equipped to make informed decisions.”
Moving Forward: Strengthening Community Health Together
As the roundtable concluded, panelists shared key reflections and recommendations.
A central message was the importance of meeting communities where they are, both linguistically and culturally.
“We must reach communities in their own language and listen to their concerns with respect.”
— Dr. Jorge Filmus
Duberlis Ramos also emphasized that health cannot be separated from broader social realities affecting many communities.
“Health cannot be separated from the realities communities face — economic challenges, access to services, and social support all influence health outcomes.”
— Duberlis Ramos
Ultimately, improving community health requires collaboration across sectors, healthcare providers, community organizations, policymakers, and local leaders.
Continuing the Conversation
This roundtable is part of Latincouver’s ongoing commitment to supporting community health through education, collaboration, and culturally responsive outreach.
By bringing together healthcare experts, community leaders, and institutional partners, Latincouver continues to create spaces where important conversations about public health can take place.
Through initiatives like this roundtable, the organization aims to empower communities with accurate information, strengthen vaccine confidence, and ensure that diverse communities have access to the knowledge and resources needed to make informed health decisions.
As communities across Canada continue to navigate evolving public health challenges, collaboration and dialogue remain essential in building healthier, more resilient communities for everyone.
About the Program
This roundtable was part of Latincouver’s ongoing efforts to promote community health, prevention, and vaccine confidence among diverse communities across Canada.
Through partnerships with healthcare professionals, community organizations, and institutional partners, Latincouver works to improve access to accurate health information, culturally responsive education, and community-based outreach initiatives.
These initiatives are designed to support immigrant and multicultural communities by:
- Increasing access to reliable health information
- Addressing language and cultural barriers to healthcare
- Promoting preventive health practices and vaccination awareness
- Creating spaces for dialogue between communities and healthcare professionals
Events such as this roundtable bring together experts and community leaders to share knowledge, build trust, and strengthen collective responses to public health challenges.
Latincouver remains committed to supporting health education, community empowerment, and collaboration as key pillars for improving community wellbeing.
