Wave 15
COSMO Canada
Implementing the WHO Behavioural Insights tool on COVID-19 to inform response efforts, including policy, interventions and communications.
Background
To support federal response efforts, Impact Canada is leading the implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Behavioural Insights (BI) Tool on COVID-19 in the Canadian context. This work is led in collaboration with the Public Opinion Research Team within the Privy Council Office’s (PCO) Communications and Consultation Secretariat, which supports the Prime Minister’s Office in coordinating government communications in accordance with key priorities.
+ Learn moreMethodology
With a longitudinal design, the study follows 2,000 participants recruited from an online panel over sixteen data collection waves. New participants are added only when an original panelist stops participating.
Respondents are a representative mix of Canadian adults aged 18 years and older and results are weighted using 2016 Statistics Canada census data to mirror the population distribution in Canada.
Key Insights
- Despite falling case counts and high vaccination uptake, a majority expressed concern about rising cases through the fall and the percentage of respondents reporting “the worst is behind us” declined 25 points between Waves 14 (June) and 15 (August)
- A majority of respondents are willing to follow public health measures if they are re-introduced in the future in response to an outbreak
- Many respondents are feeling excited about the prospect of returning to pre-pandemic times, but there is a high degree of uncertainty about when that will be
- A majority of parents have vaccinated – or intend to vaccinate – their children but some remain unsure
- When considering motivational factors that might encourage people to get a vaccine, mandates and reducing practical barriers were perceived to be effective
- A majority of respondents support proof of vaccination requirements to engage in certain activities and for certain professions
- Despite high levels of confidence among respondents in their ability to identify misinformation, a minority remain susceptible to COVID-19 misinformation
- Mental health challenges persist and younger respondents continue to experience higher levels of loneliness, anxiety and depression.
Considerations
Data Collected: August 12-16, 2021
Sample Size: 1,873
When interpreting the COSMO results it is useful to keep in mind the context of the data collection period, which may have influenced the responses of survey participants.
During the Wave 15 data collection period:
- During the Wave 15 data collection period (August 12- 16, 2021), COVID-19 cases in Canada were declining and provinces/territories were easing restrictions
- The Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines had been approved for use in Canada. As of August 11 (the day before data collection began, approximately 71.4% of the Canadian population had received one dose of a vaccine (or 82.1% of the Canadian population aged 12+). 61.8% of the Canadian population was fully vaccinated (or 71.0% of the population aged 12+)
- On August 9 Canada began allowing fully vaccinated American citizens and permanent residents, who are currently residing in the United States, to enter Canada for non-essential travel.
- Media coverage focused on the growing application of vaccination requirements in Canada and other jurisdictions (e.g., France). On August 13 the Government of Canada announced a vaccine requirement for federal public servants and the transportation sector (e.g., commercial air travellers, passengers on interprovincial trains, etc.).
- Media coverage continued to focus heavily on the Delta variant and resurgences of the virus in other countries. Speculation about a fourth wave in Canada also received media coverage prior to, and during, the data collection period.
- Media coverage also focused on an imminent Canadian federal election call.
The data was weighted to ensure that the sample distribution reflects the actual Canadian adult population according to Statistics Canada census data. There is no associated margin of error for the results, since a non-probability design means that results cannot be projected to the larger population.
Pandemic Outlook Across Time
Figure 1. Do you think the worst of the crisis is behind us, we are currently experiencing the worst of the crisis, or the worst of the crisis is yet to come?
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Table 1. Do you think the worst of the crisis is behind us, we are currently experiencing the worst of the crisis, or the worst of the crisis is yet to come?
Figure 2. Rank your current feelings about the pandemic using a list of adjectives and descriptions (6-7 out of 7)
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Table 2. Rank your current feelings about the pandemic using a list of adjectives and descriptions (6-7 out of 7)
Figure 3. Are you or have you been infected with COVID-19?
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Table 3. Are you or have you been infected with COVID-19?
Figure 4. Do you know people in your immediate social network (i.e., friends or close family members) who are or have been infected with COVID-19?
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Table 4. Do you know people in your immediate social network (i.e., friends or close family members) who are or have been infected with COVID-19?
Figure 5. When do you expect that day-to-day life in Canada will resemble pre-pandemic times?
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Table 5. When do you expect that day-to-day life in Canada will resemble pre-pandemic times?
Figure 6. The idea of returning to life that resembles pre-pandemic times makes me feel…
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Table 6. The idea of returning to life that resembles pre-pandemic times makes me feel…
Figure 7. The idea of returning to life that resembles pre-pandemic times makes me feel…
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Table 7. The idea of returning to life that resembles pre-pandemic times makes me feel…
Figure 8. I’m worried about a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the fall.
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Table 8. I’m worried about a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the fall.
Compliance with Public Health Measures and Testing
Figure 9. How often have you used the following measures to keep from getting sick with COVID-19? (usually/always; 6-7 out of 7)
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Table 9. How often have you used the following measures to keep from getting sick with COVID-19? (usually/always; 6-7 out of 7)
Figure 10. In the future, if some public health measures (e.g. gathering limits) had to be reintroduced to prevent a widespread outbreak, I would be willing to follow them.
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Table 10. In the future, if some public health measures (e.g. gathering limits) had to be reintroduced to prevent a widespread outbreak, I would be willing to follow them.
Figure 11. In the past two weeks, have you… [performed the following behaviours]?
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Table 11. In the past two weeks, have you… [performed the following behaviours]?
Figure 12. In the past two weeks, have you… [performed the following behaviours]?
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Table 12. In the past two weeks, have you… [performed the following behaviours]?
Vaccination: Vaccinated respondents
Figure 13. Have you received a COVID-19 vaccine (either one dose or both)?
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Table 13. Have you received a COVID-19 vaccine (either one dose or both)?
Figure 14. Have you received a COVID-19 vaccine (either one dose or both)?
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Table 14. Have you received a COVID-19 vaccine (either one dose or both)?
Figure 15. Do you currently have a second vaccine dose appointment booked (among those that received one dose, n=89)?
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Table 15. Do you currently have a second vaccine dose appointment booked (among those that received one dose, n=89)?
Vaccination: Beliefs and intentions among unvaccinated respondents
Figure 16. Indicate intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19 when a ‘safe’ vaccine becomes available and recommended to them.
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Table 16. Indicate intentions to vaccinate against COVID-19 when a ‘safe’ vaccine becomes available and recommended to them.
Figure 17. If a COVID-19 vaccine became available to you, would you get vaccinated, or not?
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Table 17. If a COVID-19 vaccine became available to you, would you get vaccinated, or not?
Perceptions on strategies to boost vaccination
Figure 18. To what extent would each of the following hypothetical measures make Canadians more likely to get the first or second dose of a vaccine?
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Table 18. To what extent would each of the following hypothetical measures make Canadians more likely to get the first or second dose of a vaccine?
Figure 19. To what extent would each of the following hypothetical measures make Canadians more likely to get the first or second dose of a vaccine?
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Table 19. To what extent would each of the following hypothetical measures make Canadians more likely to get the first or second dose of a vaccine?
Behaviours and intentions around childhood vaccination
Figure 20. If a COVID-19 vaccine were recommended and available for your child(ren), would you get them vaccinated? (n=447)
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Table 20. If a COVID-19 vaccine were recommended and available for your child(ren), would you get them vaccinated? (n=447)
Figure 21. What is your top/main reason for feeling against or uncertain about getting a COVID-19 vaccine for my child(ren) when it becomes available and recommended? Asked to respondents with children under the age of 18 at home who were unsure or against getting their child(ren) vaccinated (n=101)
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Table 21. What is your top/main reason for feeling against or uncertain about getting a COVID-19 vaccine for my child(ren) when it becomes available and recommended? Asked to respondents with children under the age of 18 at home who were unsure or against getting their child(ren) vaccinated (n=101)
COVID-19 Information and Misinformation
Figure 22. How often do you use the following sources of information to stay informed about COVID-19? (Frequently; 6-7 out of 7)
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Table 22. How often do you use the following sources of information to stay informed about COVID-19? (Frequently; 6-7 out of 7)
Figure 23. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19? (Trust; 6-7 out of 7)
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Table 23. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19? (Trust; 6-7 out of 7)
Figure 24. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?
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Table 24. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?
Figure 25. Below is a list of groups in society. Please tell us the degree to which you trust or distrust members of these groups.
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Table 25. Below is a list of groups in society. Please tell us the degree to which you trust or distrust members of these groups.
Figure 26. How would you rate your level of knowledge on COVID-19?
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Table 26. How would you rate your level of knowledge on COVID-19?
Figure 27. Please give your opinion on the following statements (level of agreement).
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Table 27. Please give your opinion on the following statements (level of agreement).
Figure 28. How would you rate your ability to accurately identify false information (‘fake news’) in the media related to COVID-19?
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Table 28. How would you rate your ability to accurately identify false information (‘fake news’) in the media related to COVID-19?
Travel and Border Measures
Figure 29. Within the next year, how likely is it that you will fly on a plane?
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Table 29. Within the next year, how likely is it that you will fly on a plane?
Figure 30. Where do you think you will likely fly within the next year? (Select all that apply)
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Table 30. Where do you think you will likely fly within the next year? (Select all that apply)
Beliefs and Mental Health
Figure 31. Your level of agreement with statements about COVID-19 and your financial situation.
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Table 31. Your level of agreement with statements about COVID-19 and your financial situation.
Figure 32. How do you feel about your life as a whole right now?
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Table 32. How do you feel about your life as a whole right now?
Figure 33. In the past two weeks have you…
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Table 33. In the past two weeks have you…
Figure 34. In the past two weeks have you… (Occasionally, most or all of the time)
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Table 34. In the past two weeks have you… (Occasionally, most or all of the time)
Figure 35. In the past two weeks how often have you felt anxious, nervous or on edge?
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Table 35. In the past two weeks how often have you felt anxious, nervous or on edge?