19 to Zero was launched in August 2020 at the University of Calgary in order to influence the behaviour of the public surrounding public health measures and COVID-19 vaccines.[2] The group's primary goal is to increase vaccine uptake in order to meet immunization targets, working to coordinate messaging among health care workers across Canada.[3]
In September 2020, Alberta Innovates announced a $392,080 grant to fund 19 to Zero with a project titled "Changing COVID-19 Behaviors through a data-driven targeted marketing campaign."[5]
19 to Zero collaborated in the development of the University of Calgary School of Public Policy's Vaccine Hesitancy Guide,[6] and participated in the Faster Together program to "promote Covid-19 vaccine acceptance."[7]
Some of 19 to Zero's community engagement activities included handing out postcards with QR codes linking to available vaccination appointments.[11]
In August 2021, Shoppers Drug Mart announced it was providing funding to 19 to Zero in order to increase delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to target hesitant populations.[12] 19 to Zero also partnered with Suncor Energy, who contributed $150,000 to coordinate a local vaccination campaign.[13][14] In October 2021, the group launched a new behaviour change campaign called "It's Never Too Late" following an "unprecedented surge" of admissions to intensive care units in Alberta.[13] The campaign video was produced with Emergence Creative to increase "stalled" vaccination rates, and was accompanied by billboard advertisements.[15]
Following Health Canada's approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 6 months to 11 years old, 19 to Zero participated in an advertising campaign called "Max the Vax" alongside the Canadian Medical Association, York Region and the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies.[16] In 2022, 19 to Zero received a total of $480,000 in grant funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada's Immunization Partnership Fund to enhance the role of schools in promoting vaccine acceptance among students, their families, and teachers.[17]
Reinventing the Critical Role of Schools in Building Vaccine Confidence across Canada
This project will strengthen the relationship between public health and the education sector by enhancing capacity within networks that support students, assessing community needs, and contributing to optimum student health.
Building Vaccine Confidence Amongst Newcomers in Canada: Educating Parents on School-Based Vaccination Programs
The project will partner with newcomer-serving organizations to educate families on the critical role that school-based programs play in keeping children current with their vaccinations. This involves tailoring pre-existing educational resources as well as developing new resources that specifically meet the needs of newcomers. These resources will be available in multiple languages and easily accessible through pre-existing information pathways within the school and health systems.
Newcomer parents and their children (under 18) in Alberta
19 to Zero partnered with IV.AI to analyze online social media conversations in order to generate models to combat misinformation and collect information about vaccine hesitancy narratives.[28] The organization also provided support for the first mobile vaccination clinic in Alberta led by Alberta Health and the Business Council of Alberta.[29] The Alberta Federation of Regulated Health Professionals lists 19 to Zero as one of its COVID-19 resource providers.[30] Additional partners include:[31]
^Cooney, Dale (2022-01-18). "COVID-19 Resources". Alberta Federation of Regulated Health Professionals. Archived from the original on 2022-10-13. Retrieved 2022-10-13.