Table 1.

A public health timeline to prepare for COVID-19 vaccines in Canada

Before COVID-19 vaccine(s) are available, public health needs to:  1) Determine communities’ COVID-19 vaccine perspectives and concerns.  2) Develop a communication plan for the range of COVID-19 vaccines potentially available in Canada; address misinformation and tailor the plan to fit different communities. A vaccine crisis communication plan is also needed.  3) Educate all health care professionals on optimization of vaccine acceptance strategies and update their COVID-19 vaccine information.  4) Ensure quality surveillance programs for COVID-19 infections, including detection of vaccine failures and serious Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFIs), are in place. Once COVID-19 vaccines are available, public health needs to inform the public:  5) Available COVID-19 vaccines rigorously tested and data reviewed; who to receive, why and where.  6) Infection-control needs addressed.  7) Centralized documentation. Once COVID-19 vaccine supplies are plentiful:  8) Expanded delivery sites. Throughout COVID-19 vaccine program, public health needs to:  9) Document processes and lessons learned and share observations.  10) Continue routine immunization.