A group of UWindsor students are planning an online panel discussion to address public concerns about receiving inoculation against COVID-19.

“As our region begins its roll out of the new COVID-19 vaccines, many in our community have expressed their hesitancies over the safety, efficacy and necessity of the vaccine” said lead organizer Zainab Taleb, a doctoral candidate in biomedical sciences. “A recent survey released by Statistics Canada suggests that less than 60 per cent of Canadians surveyed are confident in taking the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.

In partnership with WE-Spark Health Institute, the students will host a live streamed discussion on Friday, Feb. 19.

“This event is the opportunity for the public to ask these questions directly to a panel of experts to learn more about how the new COVID-19 vaccines work, their ability to protect, and their overall safety,” says Taleb.

Panelists include UWindsor professors Phillip Karpowicz, Munir Rahim, and John Trant; Wajid Ahmed, medical officer of health for the Windsor Essex County Health Unit; and Corinna Quan, head of infectious disease at Windsor Regional Hospital.

The event will be streamed live on WE-Spark Health Institute’s Facebook page starting at 6 p.m. Click here to register and to submit questions in advance.