COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Survey (CVCS): Cycle 2 full report

On this page

• About the second cycle
• Highlights
• Response rate
• Intent to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in the provinces
• Reasons for non-vaccination against COVID-19
• Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs
• Trusted sources of information about COVID-19 vaccines

About the second cycle

The second cycle of the COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Survey (CVCS) was conducted from April 12 to May 12, 2021. It targeted all adults 18 years of age and older living in the 10 provinces except those who live in institutions, collective dwellings and on reserve.

Highlights

Intent to get vaccinated

• At the time of the survey, 45% of adults in the provinces were already vaccinated against COVID-19, while 49% intended to get vaccinated and 5% did not intend to get vaccinated.
• The proportion of adults who did not intend to get vaccinated was higher among younger age groups, males, those with less than post-secondary education and those with household income of less than $60,000.
• Among those who were not vaccinated, 10% did not want to be vaccinated at this time or at all
• The top reasons for not wanting to get vaccinated were:
  • concerns about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines
  • perception that there was a low risk of getting COVID-19

Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs

• Most adults were confident that COVID-19 vaccines are safe (82%) and effective (87%) in preventing the disease.
• However, among vaccinated and unvaccinated adults in the provinces:
  • 30% believed that physical distancing, frequent handwashing and wearing a mask are enough to protect them from the disease
  • 24% did not trust COVID-19 vaccines because they believe they were developed too quickly
  • 20% believed that the severity of the pandemic has been overstated

Response rate

The overall response rate for Cycle 2 was 59%. The response rate varied from one province to another. Saskatchewan had the lowest response rate at 55%; and Nova Scotia had the highest at 67% (Table 1).

Intent to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in the provinces

Respondents were asked whether they intended to get vaccinated against COVID-19. This allows to better understand the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in the 10 provinces.

Overall, adults were more likely to get vaccinated than to not get vaccinated. Only 5% of adults in all the provinces did not intend to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Key results by sociodemographic factors

The intent to receive COVID-19 vaccines may be associated with sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, level of education, household income and immigration status. The next section shows how intent to get vaccinated against COVID-19 varies with these factors in all 10 provinces.

By age groups

• The proportions of adults who had received at least one dose were higher in the older age groups. More than 90% of individuals over 70 years had received at least one dose, which reflects the fact that vaccination campaigns prioritized seniors at the time of the survey.
• The proportion of individuals who did not intend to get vaccinated was higher in those between the ages of 18 to 49 years old (7%) comparing to those aged 60 years old and above (3%). However, the majority of the unvaccinated adults in younger age groups intended to get vaccinated.

By gender

• The proportion of adults who did not intend to get vaccinated against COVID-19 was higher in men (6%) compared to women (4%).
• While men were less likely to have received at least one dose, more than half (54%) of them intended to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

By level of education

• The proportion of adults who did not intend to get vaccinated against COVID-19 was higher in those with post-secondary education or lower.

By household income

• The proportion of adults who did not intend to get vaccinated against COVID-19 was higher in those with a household income of less than $60,000 comparing to incomes of $120,000 and over.
• Adults who make less than $60,000 were more likely to be vaccinated than the ones making between $60,000 to < $120,000.

By immigration status

• There was no difference in the proportion of adults who did not intend to get vaccinated between recent immigrants, long-term immigrants and non-immigrants
• Recent immigrants (<10 years) were less likely to be vaccinated than long-term immigrants and non-immigrants, which may be attributed to recent immigrants being much younger

E: Interpret estimate with caution because of high variability.

Reasons for non-vaccination against COVID-19

• The most common reason across all adults for not getting their COVID-19 vaccine in younger age groups was they were not part of a priority group for vaccination.
• Almost one fifth of the population stated that they had an appointment in the future (18%). The proportion was the highest among people aged 60 to 69 years (52%).
• Less than one tenth did not want to be vaccinated at this time (8%) or at all (3%).

The top reasons among those who did not want to be vaccinated at this time and those who did not want to be vaccinated at all include:

1. I do not trust the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines (45%).
2. I do not trust the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines (30%).
3. I am not at high risk of getting COVID-19 (26%).

Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs

To better understand the factors influencing decisions on vaccination, respondents were asked about their views regarding COVID-19 vaccines and vaccines in general (Table 3).

• The majority believed that vaccines in general are safe (95%) and effective (97%) in protecting people.
• Most were confident that COVID-19 vaccines are safe (82%) and effective (87%) in preventing the disease. However, the proportions were relatively lower than those who trust the safety and the effectiveness of vaccines in general.
• About one fifth distrusted COVID-19 vaccines because they were developed too quickly and one third believed that physical distancing, frequent handwashing and wearing a mask are enough to protect themselves from the disease.

Trusted sources of information about COVID-19 vaccines

To measure the performance of vaccination campaigns and design future vaccination programs, respondents were asked about their trusted sources of information regarding COVID-19 vaccines (Table 4).

• The most trusted sources of information about the COVID-19 vaccines were the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada (84%), and health scientists and researchers (70%).
• Less than one fifth trusted vaccine information from friends or family (17%), and 10% believed the information from alternative health providers.

To summarize

Almost half of the eligible population in the provinces were already vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of the survey, 49% intended to get vaccinated and 5% did not intend to get vaccinated. The proportion of adults who did not intend to get vaccinated was higher among younger adults, males, those with lower level of education and lower household income.

To be continued

The data collection period for the next cycle of the CVCS is to be determined.

For more information about the COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Survey, please contact us at: phac.coverage-couvertures.aspc@canada.ca.

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines

• Vaccines for COVID-19
• COVID-19 in Canada
• Canada’s vaccine supply and donation strategy
• Reported side effects following COVID-19 vaccination in Canada
• The facts about COVID-19 vaccines
• Publications: Vaccines and immunization

For health professionals

• COVID-19 information for health professionals : Vaccines
• COVID-19 vaccine: Canadian Immunization Guide