1 in 4 Canadians Say They Have Declined a Recommended Vaccine: Poll

Nearly 25 percent of Canadians report refusing a vaccine recommended by their family doctor, many because they were concerned about potential side effects, a new survey suggests.

Public relations firm Proof Strategies surveyed more than 1,500 Canadians this winter regarding their perceptions of vaccines and the reasons behind the reluctance of some to receive the shots.

The recently released results indicate that 24 percent of those polled have declined a physician-recommended vaccine, but their reasons for doing so are diverse.

The most common reason for refusal was apprehension about adverse outcomes or side effects, but some individuals said the cost of vaccines not included in provincial health plans is also a contributing factor.

The report’s authors said the survey results indicate that full compliance with vaccine recommendations will be difficult to achieve in Canada.

“Vaccine adoption is a highly complex challenge, influenced by variables such as region, religion, education, affordability, age and more,” they wrote. “There will be no one-size-fits-all solution to education.”

Age and Gender Demographics

Millennials—those born between 1981 and 1996—exhibited the highest level of reluctance to follow their doctor’s vaccine advice.

Twenty-nine percent of Millennials said they had declined a vaccine, followed by 24 percent of Gen Z, the youngest group surveyed, and 23 percent of baby boomers. Gen X, those born between 1965 and 1980, were the most vaccine-compliant. Twenty-one percent of this group said they have refused a vaccine.

Millennial women and Gen Z men were the most likely to report, at 30 percent, that they opted out of receiving a vaccine for themselves. Gen X males and Gen Z females were the least likely to disregard their doctors’ advice, at 17 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

Overall, the survey found women were more likely than men to pass on a recommended vaccine either because they were worried about side effects or because they don’t think the condition is bad enough to warrant vaccination.

Men who have declined a shot also said they were concerned about side effects, but were far more likely than women to say they didn’t believe in vaccines at all.

Regional and Political Demographics

Response to vaccines also varied by region. Those in Alberta were the most likely to refuse a vaccine compared to other provinces.

Thirty-five percent of Albertans surveyed said they had declined a shot, followed by 26 percent in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, 25 percent in Ontario, 22 percent in Atlantic Canada, and 21 percent in British Columbia. Quebecers were least likely to turn down a recommended vaccine, at 19 percent.

Political affiliation also played a role in vaccine uptake. Conservatives and unaffiliated voters were far more likely than others to refuse a shot. Thirty-nine percent of Tory voters and 26 percent of undecided voters said they had declined a vaccine compared to 14 percent of Bloc Quebecois voters, 13 percent of Liberal voters, and 12 percent of those who support the NDP.

The survey also found that those with a high school education or less were more likely to decline a vaccine than those with a university education.

Vaccinating Kids

A smaller number of survey respondents showed reluctance toward vaccinating their children. Only 16 percent of those with children indicated they had declined a recommended vaccination.

The rate of vaccine refusal was the highest among parents with children between the ages of 11 and 15. Twenty-seven percent of parents with kids in this age group declined a vaccine compared to 15 percent of those with children five and younger, and 23 percent of those with kids aged six to 10.

Alberta parents were also more likely to decline a vaccine for their child. Thirty-two percent of Albertans said they had refused a shot for their child compared to 21 percent in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, 18 percent in Atlantic Canada, 14 percent in Ontario, 12 percent in Quebec, and 11 percent in British Columbia.

Parents in homes earning more than $100,000 were more likely than households earning less than $35,000 to decline shots for their children as well, at 16 percent and 9 percent respectively.

Reasons to Refuse

The top reason Canadians are declining to receive a recommended vaccine is concerns around negative outcomes and side effects, the survey found.

Fifty-one percent of those surveyed said worry about side effects was their top reason for declining a shot, while 12 percent said the condition wasn’t serious enough to warrant vaccination. Ten percent said they didn’t believe in vaccination, 8 percent said out-of-pocket costs were too expensive, and 6 percent cited injection pain as their reason to refuse a shot. Another 6 percent listed uncited reasons, 3 percent hadn’t gotten around to it yet, 2 percent said it was too difficult to get to their doctor’s office or pharmacy, and another 2 percent said they have no family doctor.

More than 70 percent of Millennials, Gen X, and baby boomers who had refused a shot said they had done so out of concern about side effects. Only 53 percent of Gen Z listed longer-term consequences as a concern.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.