Attitudes, Beliefs, and Self-Reported Rates of Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Canadian 2023-2024 National Influenza and Respiratory Viruses Survey.

Background

We conducted a cross-sectional, online survey of adult Canadian residents to evaluate their attitudes and beliefs about vaccination against respiratory viruses, particularly influenza and coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Methodology: Survey participants aged ≥ 18 years were randomly recruited from the Léger Opinion (LEO) consumer panel.

Results

Out of 3002 respondents, 76% reported being "up-to-date" on all of their recommended vaccinations, 86% reported understanding why the influenza vaccine was needed annually, 79% reported believing the influenza vaccine was safe, and 83% reported understanding that vaccines, in general, were important for health. However, only 49% reported receiving the influenza vaccine in the fall of 2023, and 46% received a COVID-19 vaccine (68% of those who received one received the other). More than half of the respondents (55%) reported that they found it difficult to keep track of which vaccines were recommended for them, while 74% indicated that they valued the opinion of their healthcare provider (HCP) when deciding whether to be vaccinated against influenza, and 73% said they would not hesitate to receive multiple vaccines at the same time if their HCP recommended it.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the ongoing need for education and outreach in Canada.