Wave 16
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
- Many respondents expressed concern about rising cases through the winter and only half of respondents reported that “the worst of the crisis is behind us”.
- Many respondents are feeling excited about the prospect of returning to pre-pandemic times, but there is a high degree ofuncertainty about when that will be.
- A majority of respondents indicated a desire to use at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests if they were available.
- Two thirds of vaccinated respondents said they would get a third vaccine dose if it was recommended.
- Parents of older children are more likely to say they would vaccinate them compared to parents with younger children.
- When considering motivational factors that might encourage people to get a vaccine, mandates and reducing practical barriers appear to be more persuasive than financial incentives.
- 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 susceptibleto believing and spreading COVID-19 misinformation.
- Mental health challenges persist and Wave 16 saw a large increase in worries about the impact of COVID-19 on the economyand the health system.
- A majority of respondents think stricter travel measures will effectively reduce the risk of importing cases.
Considerations
Data Collected: November 16-22, 2021
Sample Size: 2,033
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 16 data collection period (November 16-22, 2021), COVID-19 cases in Canada were increasing and many provinces/territories continued to ease restrictions.
- The Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines had been approved for use in Canada. As of November 26 (just after data collection concluded) approximately 86% of the Canadian population aged 12+ were fully vaccinated and 3% had received one dose.
- Media coverage of the Delta variant waned prior to the data collection period and coverage of the Omicron variant had not yet emerged in Canada.
- On November 19 – midway through the data collection period – Health Canada approved the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine for children aged 5-11.
- On November 8, fully vaccinated Canadian travellers were permitted to cross land borders with the US. There was extensive media coverage of the testing requirements to return to Canada. On November 17, the Government of Canada announced that it would lift testing requirements for trips under 72 hours.
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
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. When do you expect that day-to-day life in Canada will resemble pre-pandemic times?
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Table 2. When do you expect that day-to-day life in Canada will resemble pre-pandemic times?
Figure 3. When do you expect that day-to-day life in Canada will resemble pre-pandemic times?
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Table 3. When do you expect that day-to-day life in Canada will resemble pre-pandemic times?
Figure 4. COVID-19 feels (like)… (Agree; 6-7 out of 7)
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Table 4. COVID-19 feels (like)… (Agree; 6-7 out of 7)
Figure 5. COVID-19 feels (like)… (Agree; 6-7 out of 7)
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Table 5. COVID-19 feels (like)… (Agree; 6-7 out of 7)
Figure 6. Please indicate your answer on the following scale.
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Table 6. Please indicate your answer on the following scale.
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. Within the next year, how likely do you think it will be that you would...
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Table 8. Within the next year, how likely do you think it will be that you would...
Figure 9. Within the next year, how likely do you think it will be that you would...
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Table 9. Within the next year, how likely do you think it will be that you would...
Figure 10. Where do you think you will likely fly within the next year?
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Table 10. Where do you think you will likely fly within the next year?
Figure 11. Where do you think you will likely fly within the next year?
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Table 11. Where do you think you will likely fly within the next year?
Figure 12. Please state your level of agreement with the following statement: Knowing that proof of vaccination is required for travellers departing from Canadian airports influenced my opinion about flying.
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Table 12. Please state your level of agreement with the following statement: Knowing that proof of vaccination is required for travellers departing from Canadian airports influenced my opinion about flying.
Figure 13. To limit the risk of bringing new cases of the virus into the country, some requirements are in place or have been discussed for people entering Canada. To what extent do you think the following requirements would be effective in reducing this risk among travellers entering Canada?
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Table 13. To limit the risk of bringing new cases of the virus into the country, some requirements are in place or have been discussed for people entering Canada. To what extent do you think the following requirements would be effective in reducing this risk among travellers entering Canada?
Latest Behaviours
Figure 14. How often have you used the following measures to keep from getting sick with COVID-19?
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Table 14. How often have you used the following measures to keep from getting sick with COVID-19?
Figure 15. How often have you used the following measures to keep from getting sick with COVID-19? (Usually; 6-7 out of 7)
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Table 15. How often have you used the following measures to keep from getting sick with COVID-19? (Usually; 6-7 out of 7)
Figure 16. How effective do you believe face masks are at reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses, such as colds and the flu?
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Table 16. How effective do you believe face masks are at reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses, such as colds and the flu?
Figure 17. When the COVID-19 pandemic is over, I will continue to wear a face mask to reduce the spread of other respiratory illnesses, such as colds and the flu.
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Table 17. When the COVID-19 pandemic is over, I will continue to wear a face mask to reduce the spread of other respiratory illnesses, such as colds and the flu.
Figure 18. When the COVID-19 pandemic is over, PEOPLE will continue to wear a face mask to reduce the spread of other respiratory illnesses, such as colds and the flu.
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Table 18. When the COVID-19 pandemic is over, PEOPLE will continue to wear a face mask to reduce the spread of other respiratory illnesses, such as colds and the flu.
Figure 19. In the past two weeks, have you……
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Table 19. In the past two weeks, have you……
Figure 20. In the past two weeks, have you……
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Table 20. In the past two weeks, have you……
Figure 21. 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 21. 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 22. To what extent are you getting tired of performing each of the following measures recommended by public health officials to avoid getting/spreading COVID-19?
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Table 22. To what extent are you getting tired of performing each of the following measures recommended by public health officials to avoid getting/spreading COVID-19?
Figure 23. To what extent are you getting tired of performing each of the following measures recommended by public health officials to avoid getting/spreading COVID-19?
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Table 23. To what extent are you getting tired of performing each of the following measures recommended by public health officials to avoid getting/spreading COVID-19?
Vaccination Status and Intentions
Figure 24. Have you received a COVID-19 vaccine?
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Table 24. Have you received a COVID-19 vaccine?
Figure 25. What was your top reason for getting a COVID-19 vaccine?
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Table 25. What was your top reason for getting a COVID-19 vaccine?
Figure 26. Did the introduction of vaccine requirements to engage in certain activities (e.g. indoor dining, going to the gym, flying on a plane, going to work, etc.) motivate you to get a COVID-19 vaccine?
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Table 26. Did the introduction of vaccine requirements to engage in certain activities (e.g. indoor dining, going to the gym, flying on a plane, going to work, etc.) motivate you to get a COVID-19 vaccine?
Figure 27. Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements.
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Table 27. Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements.
Figure 28. Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements.
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Table 28. Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements.
Figure 29. If a THIRD of a COVID-19 vaccine was available and recommended for you, how likely are you to get it
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Table 29. If a THIRD of a COVID-19 vaccine was available and recommended for you, how likely are you to get it
Figure 30. If a BOOSTER dose of a COVID-19 vaccine was available and recommended for you, how likely are you to get it?
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Table 30. If a BOOSTER dose of a COVID-19 vaccine was available and recommended for you, how likely are you to get it?
Figure 31. Would you be comfortable receiving a booster dose that was a different brand than the doses you had previously received?
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Table 31. Would you be comfortable receiving a booster dose that was a different brand than the doses you had previously received?
Figure 32. What are your main reasons for feeling unsure about receiving a third dose/booster of a COVID-19 vaccine? (n=343)
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Table 32. What are your main reasons for feeling unsure about receiving a third dose/booster of a COVID-19 vaccine? (n=343)
Figure 33. If a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose became available to you this fall/winter, would it affect your decision to get the flu shot this year
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Table 33. If a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose became available to you this fall/winter, would it affect your decision to get the flu shot this year
Figure 34. Have you already booked a COVID-19 vaccine appointment?
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Table 34. Have you already booked a COVID-19 vaccine appointment?
Figure 35. Now that a safe COVID-19 vaccine is available, I intend to get it.
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Table 35. Now that a safe COVID-19 vaccine is available, I intend to get it.
Figure 36. If a COVID-19 vaccine became available to you, would you get vaccinated, or not? (n=125)
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Table 36. If a COVID-19 vaccine became available to you, would you get vaccinated, or not? (n=125)
Figure 37. What is your top/main reason for feeling against or uncertain about getting a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available and recommended? (n=118)
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Table 37. What is your top/main reason for feeling against or uncertain about getting a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available and recommended? (n=118)
Vaccination Social Circle and Knowledge
Figure 38. To what extent would each of the following hypothetical measures make Canadians more likely to get a COVID-19 vaccine?
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Table 38. To what extent would each of the following hypothetical measures make Canadians more likely to get a COVID-19 vaccine?
Figure 39. To what extend to you agree or disagree with the following statement: A third dose/booster of the COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to anyone who wants it.
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Table 39. To what extend to you agree or disagree with the following statement: A third dose/booster of the COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to anyone who wants it.
Figure 40. Has your child(ren) aged 12 to 17 received a COVID-19 vaccine (either one dose or both (n=230)
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Table 40. Has your child(ren) aged 12 to 17 received a COVID-19 vaccine (either one dose or both (n=230)
Figure 41. Would vaccinate children 5 to 11 years (n=216)
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Table 41. Would vaccinate children 5 to 11 years (n-216)
Figure 42. If a COVID-19 vaccine is recommended and available for my child/children aged 4 and under, I would get them vaccinated. (n=202)
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Table 42. If a COVID-19 vaccine is recommended and available for my child/children aged 4 and under, I would get them vaccinated. (n=202)
Figure 43. What is your top/main reason for feeling against or uncertain about getting a COVID-19 vaccine for your child(ren) when it becomes available and recommended? (n=116)
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Table 43. What is your top/main reason for feeling against or uncertain about getting a COVID-19 vaccine for your child(ren) when it becomes available and recommended? (n=116)
Figure 44. Please give your opinion on the following statements.
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Table 44. Please give your opinion on the following statements.
Figure 45. Many provinces/territories have implemented proof of vaccination to engage in certain activities (e.g., dine inside in a restaurant). How safe or unsafe do these (or would these) measures make you feel when you are out in public?
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Table 45. Many provinces/territories have implemented proof of vaccination to engage in certain activities (e.g., dine inside in a restaurant). How safe or unsafe do these (or would these) measures make you feel when you are out in public?
COVID-19 Information
Figure 46. How would you rate your level of knowledge on COVID-19?
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Table 46. How would you rate your level of knowledge on COVID-19?
Figure 47. Do you ever share news stories related to COVID-19 on social media?
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Table 47. Do you ever share news stories related to COVID-19 on social media?
Figure 48. How would you rate your ability to accurately identify false information (“fake news”) related to COVID-19?
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Table 48. How would you rate your ability to accurately identify false information (“fake news”) related to COVID-19?
Figure 49. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?
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Table 49. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?
Figure 50. 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 50. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19? (Trust; 6-7 out of 7)
Figure 51. How often do you use the following sources of information to stay informed about COVID-19?
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Table 51. How often do you use the following sources of information to stay informed about COVID-19?
Figure 52. How often do you use the following sources of information to stay informed about COVID-19? (Often; 6-7 out of 7)
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Table 52. How often do you use the following sources of information to stay informed about COVID-19? (Often; 6-7 out of 7)
Figure 53. To the best of your knowledge, how accurate are the claims in each of the following news headlines? (Somewhat or very accurate)
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Table 53. To the best of your knowledge, how accurate are the claims in each of the following news headlines? (Somewhat or very accurate)
Figure 54. If you were to see the following news stories online (for example, through Facebook or Twitter), how likely would you be to share them? (Slightly, moderately or extremely likely)
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Table 54. If you were to see the following news stories online (for example, through Facebook or Twitter), how likely would you be to share them? (Slightly, moderately or extremely likely)
Figure 55. To the best of your knowledge, how accurate are the claims in each of the following news headlines (Somewhat or very accurate)
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Table 55. To the best of your knowledge, how accurate are the claims in each of the following news headlines (Somewhat or very accurate)
Figure 56. If you were to see the following news stories online (for example, through Facebook or Twitter), how likely would you be to share them? (Slightly, moderately or extremely likely)
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Table 56. If you were to see the following news stories online (for example, through Facebook or Twitter), how likely would you be to share them? (Slightly, moderately or extremely likely)
COVID-19 Beliefs and Perceived Impacts
Figure 57. Please give your opinion on the following statements (level of agreement).
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Table 57. Please give your opinion on the following statements (level of agreement).
Figure 58. Please give your opinion on the following statements. (Agree; 6-7 out of 7)
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Table 58. Please give your opinion on the following statements. (Agree; 6-7 out of 7)
Figure 59. Based on what you know, what is the most common way that the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads from an infected person to others?
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Table 59. Based on what you know, what is the most common way that the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads from an infected person to others?
Figure 60. Please indicate whether COVID-19 has impacted your financial situation in the following ways.
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Table 60. Please indicate whether COVID-19 has impacted your financial situation in the following ways.
Figure 61. Please indicate whether COVID-19 has impacted your financial situation in the following ways. (Agree; 6-7 out of 7)
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Table 61. Please indicate whether COVID-19 has impacted your financial situation in the following ways. (Agree; 6-7 out of 7)
Mental Health
Figure 62. How do you feel about your life as a whole right now?
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Table 62. How do you feel about your life as a whole right now?
Figure 63. Crises often involve fears and worries. At the moment, how much do you worry about…
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Table 63. Crises often involve fears and worries. At the moment, how much do you worry about…
Figure 64. In the past two weeks, how often have you felt…..
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Table 64. In the past two weeks, how often have you felt…..
Figure 65. In the past two weeks, how often have you… (Occasionally/most/all of the time)
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Table 65. In the past two weeks, how often have you… (Occasionally/most/all of the time)