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Confidence and barriers

Analysis of factors associated with timely routine childhood vaccination in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic

Behavioural Science Office, Public Health Agency of Canada
Vaccination Behaviour and Confidence, Public Health Agency of Canada
Infectious Diseases and Vaccination Programs Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada
Impact Canada, Impact & Innovation Unit, Privy Council Office
a viral particle

Key insights

Canadian parents' confidence in vaccines remains high; however, the pandemic may have increased concerns and polarized opinions.

  • Up to 25% of parents missed or delayed a routine childhood immunization appointment for their child(ren) at some point since the pandemic began.
  • COVID-19-related concerns were among the top barriers associated with missed or delayed vaccines, including concerns about interactions between routine and COVID-19 vaccines.
  • To make routine immunization easier, parents indicated interest in:
    • Better availability/option of vaccination at the pharmacy
    • More convenient appointment times
    • Reminders when their children are due to be immunized

Full Citation:

MacKay H, Gretton JD, Chyderiotis S, Elliott S, Howarth A, Guo C, Mastroianni A, Kormos C, Leifer J, Conway L, Morrissey MD. Confidence and barriers: Analysis of factors associated with timely routine childhood vaccination in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine. 2024 Oct 24;42(24):126236. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126236. Epub 2024 Aug 31. PMID: 39217774.

Read the full article to learn more here