Pfizer Canada and McMaster to foster health equity in vaccine science

Pfizer Canada is investing $500,000 in McMaster projects aimed at addressing critical gaps in health equity in the development and delivery of vaccines.

Pfizer Canada’s investment in McMaster’s Global Nexus, announced Tuesday at the university, is aimed at supporting the university’s commitment to inclusive excellence in research by training emerging scholars from equity-deserving groups in the field of vaccinology, as well as students conducting vaccine research focused on populations who are especially vulnerable to infectious diseases.

Despite the effectiveness of vaccines in combating infectious diseases, systemic disparities in representation, efficacy, distribution, and uptake all persist.

Recognizing these challenges, Pfizer is supporting McMaster’s work to support inclusive excellence in vaccine development and delivery.

“This grant from Pfizer Canada underscores our shared commitment to advancing health equity,” said Matthew Miller, Executive Director of Global Nexus.

“Through Global Nexus, these talented young scientists are driving innovation and addressing research gaps to ensure vaccines protect all communities.”

Through this initiative, Global Nexus is:

• promoting training of learners from equity-deserving groups in the field of vaccinology to increase diversity in the vaccine workforce, from vaccine development to delivery
• addressing gaps in knowledge related to vaccination of vulnerable populations
• developing accessible educational material related to vaccine development, safety, effectiveness, and policy, appropriate for diverse audiences
• working closely with relevant community partners and scholars to ensure a safe learning environment for funded scholars

“Equity is at the core of Pfizer’s mission. We believe that health care advances like vaccines must be accessible to all, reflecting the diversity of the people we serve,” said Andréa Mueller, Primary Care Portfolio Lead at Pfizer Canada.

“By investing in initiatives like McMaster’s Global Nexus, we aim to create a more inclusive and impactful vaccine ecosystem.”

About Global Nexus

Global Nexus is a partnership-focused health innovation accelerator based in McMaster University’s Faculty of Health Sciences. It facilitates seamless collaboration between academic and non-academic partners in sectors including government, public health, industry, and communities. Together with these partners, Global Nexus is co-developing transformative health solutions that have broad social impact. The inhaled COVID-19 vaccine developed by Global Nexus researchers is moving to Phase 2 clinical trials.