Wave 2.2
COSMO Canada
Implementing the WHO Behavioural Insights tool on COVID-19 to inform response efforts, including policy, interventions and communications.
Background
From April 2020 to November 2021, Impact Canada led the implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Behavioural Insights (BI) Tool on COVID-19 in the Canadian context. This study - COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring (COSMO Canada) - was conducted in collaboration with the Public Opinion Research Team at the Privy Council Office and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Insights from COSMO Phase One informed the federal response to COVID-19 and enabled whole-of-government decision making to meet the specific, changing needs of citizens throughout the pandemic.
In February 2022, Impact Canada launched the second phase and will continue to monitor the evolving pandemic response context with a new sample of Canadians and a new Advisory Committee.
+ Learn morePhase 2 Methodology
With a longitudinal design, the study follows 2,000 participants recruited from an online panel over eight waves of data collection. 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. For more information on the study methodology, please visit the COSMO Canada pre-registration page.
Key Insights
- Public Health Measures: In Wave 2.2, 34% of respondents indicated that they either have had, or likely have had, COVID-19. An additional 5% of respondents were unsure. A third of respondents reported having been tested for COVID-19 in the past month, either using a rapid test or a PCR test. 91% of respondents reported often or always wearing a face mask when mandatory and 57% when it is not mandatory.
- Vaccination: 91% of COSMO respondents had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in Wave 2.2, which was in line with real world vaccine uptake for the 18+ population. 70% of respondents had received 3 doses, which was higher than real world uptake (see Annex D). Among respondents with 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, 29% indicated that they were likely to get a third dose. Among unvaccinated respondents, 86% indicated that they do not intend to be vaccinated, while 12% were unsure and 2% wanted to wait.
- Pediatric Vaccination: Respondents with children were much more likely to indicate that their children aged 12-17 had been vaccinated (83%), compared to those with children aged 5-11 (57%). First dose uptake did not shift meaningfully between Wave 2.1 (February) and Wave 2.2 (April). Among parents with children aged 5-11 who had not already been vaccinated, 92% indicated that they do not intend to vaccinate them. 41% of parents with children aged 0-4 indicated that they would vaccinate them either as soon as possible (31%) or after some time (10%). The top reason provided by parents who were unsure or against vaccinating their children was that their children are healthy and that their immune systems will protect them.
- Sources of Information & Trust: In Wave 2.2, the vast majority of respondents indicated a great deal of trust (4-5 out of 5) in healthcare workers (82%) and scientific experts (82%) for information on COVID-19. Trust in the federal government (65%) and provincial/territorial governments (60%) was also high, relative to other sources of information, such as friends/family (37%).There were no significant changes in trust in information sources between Waves 2.1 and 2.2. Additionally, 34% of respondents indicated that they approve of how the Government of Canada has handled the pandemic so far.
- COVID-19 Knowledge & Misinformation: Of concern, a minority of respondents indicated that false headlines about COVID-19 were ‘very accurate’ or ‘somewhat accurate’, and questioned the accuracy of some true headlines. Additionally, new questions added in Wave 2.2 found that a majority (67%) of respondents reported that they are ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ concerned about the spread of mis/disinformation online. 47% of respondents also indicated that they would like governments to be ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ involved in monitoring and combating the spread of mis/disinformation online.
- Mental Health & Wellbeing: In Wave 2.2, 71% of respondents reported that they were satisfied with their lives as a whole – a slight uptick from Wave 2.1 (65%). 40% of respondents indicated that their overall life satisfaction has declined since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 and 16% of respondents indicated that their satisfaction has improved. Many respondents reported that they felt anxious or worried (58%), stressed (63%), burnt out (47%) and angry (47%) in the past two weeks.
- Pandemic Outlook & Recovery: Half (51%) of respondents think that the worst of the crisis is behind us, but many respondents are unsure (27%). Despite a majority of respondents indicating that the worst of the crisis is behind us, 35% of respondents still anticipate that it will be longer than 6 months before day-to-day life in Canada resembles pre-pandemic times and 26% think life will ‘never’ resemble pre-pandemic times. Economic worries are top of mind for respondents. 70% of respondents are worried about inflation and cost-of living increases and 47% are worried about the impact of the pandemic on the economy. 64% of respondents reported that they are worried about increasing divisiveness and/or conflict within society and 53% are worried about the health system being overloaded.
Considerations
Data Collected: April 5-25, 2022
Sample size: 2,000
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:
- Many parts of Canada were experiencing another wave of COVID-19 cases, however due to changes in testing practices official cases counts did not reflect the actual number of cases.
- Most Canadians were vaccinated. As of April 29, 2022, approximately 89% of the Canadian population aged 5+ had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.2 86% of the population aged 5+ had received two doses, and 58% of the population aged 18+ had received 3 doses. 57% of children aged 5-11 had received at least one dose, and 41% had received two doses. At the time of data collection, no COVID-19 vaccines had been approved for children aged 4 and under.
- Media coverage focused heavily on FPT decisions to relax public health restrictions, such as masking requirements. National media coverage also covered the anticipated ‘Rolling Thunder’ biker convoy in Ottawa (April 29-May 1) – the stated purpose of the convoy was to celebrate freedom and protest COVID-19 vaccination mandates.
- The Russian-Ukrainian war continued throughout the entirety of the data collection period.
Public Health Measures
COVID-19 infections
Figure 1. Are you or have you been infected with COVID-19?
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Table 1. Are you or have you been infected with COVID-19?
Figure 2. How many times have you been infected with COVID-19?
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Table 2. How many times have you been infected with COVID-19?
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. In the past four weeks, have you been tested for COVID-19 (for example, at an assessment centre, using a rapid test, or at a pharmacy)?
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Table 4. In the past four weeks, have you been tested for COVID-19 (for example, at an assessment centre, using a rapid test, or at a pharmacy)?
Figure 5. If at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests were available to me, I would use them.
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Table 5. If at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests were available to me, I would use them.
Figure 6. In which of the following situations would you use an at-home, rapid COVID-19 test? [Respondents indicating they would be likely to use a rapid COVID-19 test (n=1,697)]
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Table 6. In which of the following situations would you use an at-home, rapid COVID-19 test? [Respondents indicating they would be likely to use a rapid COVID-19 test (n=1,697)]
Figure 7. In the past month, how often have you used the following measures to avoid getting COVID-19 or to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
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Table 7. In the past month, how often have you used the following measures to avoid getting COVID-19 or to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
Figure 8. In the past two weeks, have you…
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Table 8. In the past two weeks, have you…
Figure 9. In the future, if the following public health measures had to be reintroduced to prevent a widespread outbreak, would you support them?
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Table 9. In the future, if the following public health measures had to be reintroduced to prevent a widespread outbreak, would you support them?
Figure 10. In the past month, how often have you…
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Table 10. In the past month, how often have you…
Figure 11. Even if it’s not a requirement, how often would you wear a mask in the following settings within the next month?
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Table 11. Even if it’s not a requirement, how often would you wear a mask in the following settings within the next month?
Vaccination
Figure 12. Have you received a COVID-19 vaccine?
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Table 12. Have you received a COVID-19 vaccine?
Figure 13. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements. [Respondents who have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (n=1,822)]
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Table 13. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements. [Respondents who have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (n=1,822)]
Figure 14. If a [third/fourth] dose of a COVID-19 vaccine was available and recommended for you, how likely would you be to get it? [Respondents who have received 1-2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine (W1: n=411; W2: n=345) OR 3 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine (W1:n=1,388; W2: n=1,423)]
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Table 14. If a [third/fourth] dose of a COVID-19 vaccine was available and recommended for you, how likely would you be to get it? [Respondents who have received 1-2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine (W1: n=411; W2: n=345) OR 3 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine (W1:n=1,388; W2: n=1,423)]
Figure 15. In a few words, please explain your main reasons for feeling against or unsure about receiving a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. [COSMO asked respondents who had received two COVID-19 doses but were unsure or against getting a third dose (n=202)]
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Table 15. In a few words, please explain your main reasons for feeling against or unsure about receiving a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. [COSMO asked respondents who had received two COVID-19 doses but were unsure or against getting a third dose (n=202).]
Figure 16. In a few words, please explain your main reasons for feeling against or unsure about receiving a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. [COSMO asked respondents who had received three COVID-19 doses but were unsure or against getting a fourth dose (n=167)]
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Table 16. In a few words, please explain your main reasons for feeling against or unsure about receiving a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. [COSMO asked respondents who had received three COVID-19 doses but were unsure or against getting a fourth dose (n=167).]
Figure 17. Will you get a COVID-19 vaccine? [Respondents who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine (W1: n=176; W2: n=178)]
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Table 17. Will you get a COVID-19 vaccine? [Respondents who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine (W1: n=176; W2: n=178)]
Vaccines for Children
Figure 18. Has/have any of your child(ren) aged 12-17 received a COVID-19 vaccine? [Respondents with child(ren) aged 12 to 17 at home (n=234)]
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Table 18. Has/have any of your child(ren) aged 12-17 received a COVID-19 vaccine? [Respondents with child(ren) aged 12 to 17 at home (n=234)]
Figure 19. Thinking about your child(ren) aged 12-17, if a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available would you choose to have your child(ren) receive one? [Respondents with child(ren) aged 12-17 who have received 1-2 doses (n=139)]
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Table 19. Thinking about your child(ren) aged 12-17, if a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available would you choose to have your child(ren) receive one? [Respondents with child(ren) aged 12-17 who have received 1-2 doses (n=139)]
Figure 20. Has/have any of your child(ren) aged 5-11 received a COVID-19 vaccine? [Respondents with child(ren) aged 5 to 11 at (n=238)]
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Table 20. Has/have any of your child(ren) aged 5-11 received a COVID-19 vaccine? [Respondents with child(ren) aged 5 to 11 at (n=238)]
Figure 21. Now that a COVID-19 vaccine is recommended and available for my child(ren) aged 5-11, I will get them vaccinated. [Respondents with child(ren) aged 5-11 who have NOT received a vaccine (n=96)]
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Table 21. Now that a COVID-19 vaccine is recommended and available for my child(ren) aged 5-11, I will get them vaccinated. [Respondents with child(ren) aged 5-11 who have NOT received a vaccine (n=96).]
Figure 22. Has/have any of your child(ren) aged 12-17 received a COVID-19 vaccine? / Has/have any of your child(ren) aged 5-11 received a COVID-19 vaccine?
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Table 22. Has/have any of your child(ren) aged 12-17 received a COVID-19 vaccine? / Has/have any of your child(ren) aged 5-11 received a COVID-19 vaccine?
Figure 23. In a few words, please explain why you are unsure or against getting a vaccine for some or all of your children.
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Table 23. In a few words, please explain why you are unsure or against getting a vaccine for some or all of your children.
Figure 24. Have any of your children been infected with COVID-19? [Respondents with child(ren) under 18 years of age (n=473)]
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Table 24. Have any of your children been infected with COVID-19? [Respondents with child(ren) under 18 years of age (n=473)]
Figure 25. How worried are you about your child(ren) contracting COVID-19?
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Table 25. How worried are you about your child(ren) contracting COVID-19?
Sources of Information and Trust
Figure 26. To what extent do you trust or distrust the following sources for information on COVID-19?
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Table 26. To what extent do you trust or distrust the following sources for information on COVID-19?
Figure 27. How closely, if at all, have you been following news on COVID-19 over the past month?
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Table 27. How closely, if at all, have you been following news on COVID-19 over the past month?
Figure 28. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements.
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Table 28. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements.
Figure 29. How easy or difficult do you feel it is to find true and reliable information to help you make important health-related decisions?
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Table 29. How easy or difficult do you feel it is to find true and reliable information to help you make important health-related decisions?
Figure 30. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements.
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Table 30. Please indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements.
Figure 31. Generally speaking, would you say that...
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Table 31. Generally speaking, would you say that...
COVID-19 Knowledge and Misinformation
Figure 32. To the best of your knowledge, how accurate are the claims in each of the following recent news headlines (accurate claims)?
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Table 32. To the best of your knowledge, how accurate are the claims in each of the following recent news headlines (accurate claims)?
Figure 33. To the best of your knowledge, how accurate are the claims in each of the following recent news headlines (inaccurate claims)?
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Table 33. To the best of your knowledge, how accurate are the claims in each of the following recent news headlines (inaccurate claims)?
Figure 34. In the past month, how often did you use each of the following platforms?
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Table 34. In the past month, how often did you use each of the following platforms?
Figure 35. How concerned are you about the spread of misinformation and disinformation online (i.e. news information about important topics that is verifiably false)?
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Table 35. How concerned are you about the spread of misinformation and disinformation online (i.e. news information about important topics that is verifiably false)?
Figure 36. To what extent do you think the government should be involved in monitoring and combating the spread of misinformation and disinformation online?
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Table 36. To what extent do you think the government should be involved in monitoring and combating the spread of misinformation and disinformation online?
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Figure 37. All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life as a whole?
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Table 37. All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life as a whole?
Figure 38. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, my satisfaction with my life has…
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Table 38. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, my satisfaction with my life has…
Figure 39. In the past two weeks, have you felt…
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Table 39. In the past two weeks, have you felt…
Pandemic Outlook and Recovery
Figure 40. Thinking of the COVID-19 pandemic, do you think…
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Table 40. Thinking of the COVID-19 pandemic, do you think…
Figure 41. When do you expect that day-to-day life in Canada will resemble pre-pandemic times?
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Table 41. When do you expect that day-to-day life in Canada will resemble pre-pandemic times?
Figure 42. At the moment, how much do you worry about the following economic-related topics…
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Table 42. At the moment, how much do you worry about the following economic-related topics…
Figure 43. At the moment, how much do you worry about the following health-related topics…
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Table 43. At the moment, how much do you worry about the following health-related topics…
Figure 44. In your opinion, how much of a threat, if any, is COVID-19 for...
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Table 44. In your opinion, how much of a threat, if any, is COVID-19 for...