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Published Jan 10, 2025 • Last updated 4 minutes ago • 1 minute read
In-house research from Canada’s Public Health Agency shows a majority of parents are hesitant to get COVID-19 and flu shots for their children despite ongoing immunization campaigns, according to a report.
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“Continued monitoring of parental knowledge and views around COVID-19 and influenza are important to adapt public communication and education accordingly,” said the report Childhood Seasonal Immunization Coverage Survey, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.
“Monitoring parental attitudes is essential to predict expected vaccine take-up and guide education and awareness efforts to promote vaccination.”
The research showed only 17% of parents said they definitely will keep their child’s COVID-19 doses up to date in the future as recommended by public health officials, compared to 26% who said they probably won’t and 28% who said they definitely won’t.
In addition, 19.5% of parents said they have been somewhat hesitant to getting their child vaccinated against COVID-19 while 21% said they were very hesitant.
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As for the reasons for their wariness, parents were “concerned there was not enough research on the vaccine,” questioned the shot’s effectiveness, “mistrust in COVID-19 vaccine related information” or their doctor never mentioned it.
The research also showed 42% declined an annual flu shot for their children, with 16% saying it was because they had “concerns about the side effects,” while others called it unnecessary.
The report, dated Oct. 24, 2024, followed 2023 data showing 26% of parents of young children declined COVID shots even at the height of the pandemic.
According to the report, Waterloo, Ont. pollster Advanis Inc. was paid $292,727 to poll 11,258 parents across the country.
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