Opposition to childhood vaccination rises among parents since 2019, survey reveals

Recent outbreaks of diseases like measles and polio once thought to be relics of the past, have sparked alarm across Canada. Amid these global and national health scares, a noticeable dip in vaccination acceptance is causing concern among many Canadians.

 

A new study conducted by the Angus Reid Institute, a non-profit organization, reveals that 71% of Canadians believe the anti-vaccination movement could lead to preventable illnesses and suffering. This sentiment comes at a time when skepticism about vaccine efficacy is on the rise, particularly among parents with children under 18.

 

Since 2019, there has been a significant shift in attitudes towards vaccinating children. Currently, 17% of parents with minors report staunch opposition to vaccinating their kids, marking a fourfold increase from four years ago. Concurrently, support for mandatory childhood vaccination in schools—a policy enforced in Ontario and New Brunswick—has fallen from 70% to 55%. Opposition to mandatory vaccination has correspondingly risen from 24% to 38%.

 

Interestingly, 52% of parents with young children believe the decision to vaccinate should lie with the parents, a sentiment less shared (32%) among those without children under 18.

 

Despite these changes, the percentage of Canadians who view opposition to child vaccination as irresponsible has remained steady over the years, fluctuating slightly between 72% and 75% from 2015 to 2024.

 

The Angus Reid Institute's 2024 survey also introduced the Vaccine Acceptance Index to categorize Canadian attitudes towards vaccines. At one end of the spectrum are the "Max Vaxxers" (29% of Canadians), who fully support vaccinations and mandatory policies for children, confident in their safety and efficacy. On the opposite end is the "Anti-Vax" group (14%), who are critical of vaccinations, doubting their necessity and safety. Between these extremes lie the "Vax Proponents" (34%), who generally support vaccinations but have some reservations, and the "Vax Skeptics" (24%), who are cautious but not outright dismissive.

 

One notable finding across all groups is the difficulty in discussing vaccination issues within social circles, with at least one in five Canadians across the spectrum expressing apprehension about broaching the subject with friends and family. This concern is even more pronounced among the "Anti-Vax" and "Vax Skeptics," with three in ten wary of raising the topic.

 

This survey, shedding light on the complex landscape of vaccine acceptance in Canada, underscores the challenges public health officials and policymakers face in navigating and addressing the growing hesitancy around childhood vaccinations.