Recently, the Health and Wellness Team of CCIS’s Resettlement and Integration (RIS) Division partnered with the Alberta International Medical Graduates Association (AIMGA) to host a Vaccine Orientation and Clinic for Government-Assisted Refugee (GAR) clients residing at the Margaret Chisholm Resettlement Centre (MCRC) and temporary accommodations. This initiative aimed to educate clients on the importance of vaccinations while providing necessary immunizations. During the orientation session, our GAR clients received comprehensive information about vaccines, with a focus on flu and COVID-19 immunizations. The session highlighted how vaccines prevent illness and protect community health, while also offering clients the opportunity to ask questions and address concerns about the vaccination process.
The following day, Healthmed Pharmacy, alongside AIMGA volunteers, administered flu and COVID-19 vaccines to interested clients who had provided their consent. Healthmed Pharmacy, a long-standing partner of CCIS, has been providing vaccination services to our clients and staff for several years.
The clinic was a success, with 35 vaccinations administered. AIMGA volunteers, including Sofoniyas Ghebrezgabihier, Madena Yahya, Boman Fahimi, Fareen Simba, and Ugochukwu Osigwe (AIMGA’s Vaccine Coordinator), played a key role in facilitating communication and supporting clients throughout the process.
This initiative not only delivered essential health services but also fostered a sense of community among participants. The collaboration between CCIS’s Health Team and AIMGA underscores the importance of partnerships in enhancing public health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Learn more about CCIS’s Health and Wellness program here: https://ccisab.ca/health-wellness-program/
