Canadian Resistance to Mandatory Child Vaccinations Increases by 14% Amid Pandemic
According to a new survey, opposition to mandatory childhood vaccination in Canada has increased by 14 percent since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey shows that the percentage has risen from 24 percent in 2019 to 38 percent today.
On the other hand, support for mandatory childhood vaccination in Canadian schools has decreased by 15 points, dropping from 70 percent in 2019 to 55 percent in 2024, as per data from the Angus Reid Institute. Presently, both Ontario and New Brunswick require specific immunizations for school attendance.
A survey of Canadian parents with children under 18 reveals that one-in-six describe themselves as firmly opposed to vaccinating their kids, marking a four-fold increase from pre-pandemic years. Despite this, 71 percent of Canadians express concerns that the anti-vaccination movement could result in unnecessary illness and suffering.
Despite the varied opinions on vaccinations, there has been little change in the percentage of individuals who consider opposing child vaccination as irresponsible. Over the years 2015, 2019, and 2024, between 72 and 75 percent of Canadians have maintained this viewpoint.
Parental Vaccine Concerns on the Rise
While a majority of parents still express willingness to vaccinate their children without reservation, the survey data indicates a substantial increase in the number of parents who are against or uncertain about vaccinations. For instance, 88 percent of parents in 2019 fully supported vaccinating their children compared to 67 percent today. The percentage of parents undecided about vaccinations has doubled from 8 percent to 16 percent, while those staunchly against vaccines have increased from 4 percent to 17 percent.
Related Stories
Among those surveyed, 52 percent of parents believe that the decision to vaccinate their children should rest with them, while only 32 percent of individuals without children under 18 agree.
Of the parents who advocate for vaccination as a parental choice, only 49 percent would vaccinate their child without hesitation. Twenty percent are firmly against it, while 31 percent are undecided.
Although there is a growing movement to defend parents’ rights to choose on childhood vaccinations, the perception of irresponsibility associated with opposing child vaccination remains mostly consistent. For the past decade, between 72 and 75 percent of Canadians have held the view that opposing childhood vaccination is misguided.
Ontarians show the most support for a vaccination mandate for school children at 61 percent, while only 45 percent of Quebec residents express similar support.
Gender and age also influence support for children’s vaccinations. Men are less likely than women to endorse it, with one-third of men under 55 expressing hesitancy or opposition to vaccinating a child.
During the pandemic, routine childhood vaccinations experienced a decline, with approximately 300,000 children receiving their vaccines late or missing them entirely, as reported by a national survey in fall 2021.
Students in Ontario and New Brunswick must receive vaccinations for various diseases unless exempted, such as diphtheria, chickenpox, meningitis, measles, mumps, polio, rubella, tetanus, and whooping cough.
Growth of Vaccine Uncertainty
The survey indicates that vaccine uncertainty is increasing not just among parents of minors but across all Canadians. Twenty-nine percent of Canadians express skepticism about the science behind vaccines, while 34 percent are concerned about the possibility of significant side effects.
“The push for COVID-19 vaccination seems to have fueled a new sense of doubt regarding vaccination in general,” noted the authors, highlighting that older Canadians hold a consistent belief in the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing illness in the broader population.
While the report mentions an overall rise in vaccine skepticism among various groups, the increase is particularly notable among men under 55. Fifty-six percent of surveyed men aged 35 to 54 identified as either “anti-vax” or “vax skeptics,” marking the highest percentage across all age and gender categories.
Furthermore, there is a growing belief among some Canadians that the human body can naturally develop immunity to diseases without vaccination. One out of five Canadians surveyed adheres to this belief, with 69 percent of them leaning towards anti-vaccination sentiments.
Despite these findings, the survey reveals that more Canadians support vaccines than oppose them. Among the options presented, 29 percent are categorized as “max vaxxers,” while 34 percent are “vax proponents.” Twenty-four percent fall under “vax skeptics,” and 14 percent are labeled as “anti-vax.”
