Quantifying COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy During Early Vaccination Rollout in Canada

Abstract

Background: Understanding vaccination hesitancy during early vaccination rollout in Canada can help the government’s efforts in vaccination education and outreach.Method: Panel members from the nationally representative Angus Reid Forum were randomly invited to complete an online survey on their experience with COVID-19, including their intention to vaccination against COVID-19. Respondents were asked “when a vaccine against the coronavirus becomes available to you, will you get vaccinated or not?” Vaccination hesitancy was defined as choosing “No – I will not get a coronavirus vaccination” as a response.Findings: 14,621 panel members (46% male and 53% female) completed the survey. COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy is relatively low overall (9%). Being a resident of Alberta (predicted probability = 15%), aged 40-59 (OR = 0.87, 0.78 – 0.97, predicted probability = 12%), identifying as a visible minority (OR = 0.56, 0.37 – 0.84, predicted probability = 15%), having some college level education or lower (predicted probability = 14%), or living in households of at least 5 are related to greater vaccination hesitancy (OR = 0.82, 0.76 – 0.88, predicted probability = 13%).Interpretation: Our study enhances the understanding of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and identifies key population groups with higher vaccination hesitancy. As the Canadian COVID-19 vaccination effort continues, policymakers may focus outreach, education, and other efforts on these groups, which also represent groups with higher risks for contracting and dying from COVID-19.Funding Information: Pfizer Global Medical, Unity Health Foundation, Canadian COVID-19 Immunity Task Force.Declaration of Interests: We declare no competing interests.Ethics Approval Statement: The Ab-C study was approved by the IRB of St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto.