Polls results on COVID-19, vaccines and routine immunization

In March 2021, UNICEF Canada in partnership with Fuse Insights launched a poll to help better understand the impact of the pandemic on families in Canada, and their opinions on COVID-19 vaccines and routine immunizations.

These results highlight the opinions of 1,008 Canadian adults aged 18+ that were surveyed online in English and French, with quotas used to ensure they form a nationally representative sample of the population by age, gender and geography.

The survey will help inform UNICEF Canada’s work to protect the right to a childhood and help inform the Government of Canada on how people in Canada view an equitable recovery.

How do people in Canada feel about COVID-19?

• 9 out of 10 agree that everyone has an equal right to be protected against COVID-19.
• Almost 9 out of 10 think that the pandemic and its restrictions have affected people's mental health, not just their physical health.
• 77% fear that COVID-19 is exacerbating economic inequality both in Canada and abroad.

How is the pandemic impacting children?

• ¾ of Canadians agree the pandemic is causing kids to miss out on key aspects of their childhood.
• Over half of parents have noticed a change in their kids' mental well-being over the course of the pandemic.
• 8 out of 10 say it's important that we do everything possible during the pandemic to ensure we protect kids' right to their childhood.
• 86% think children have a universal right to childhood, regardless of the country they live in.

How do Canadians think we should be responding to the pandemic?

• 85% of Canadians agree that it is important COVID-19 vaccines are distributed fairly to all countries.
• More than 8 out of 10 Canadians agree that vaccinating people in developing countries is just as important as vaccinating people in countries like Canada.
• Two thirds of Canadians say Canada should be leading efforts to ensure lower-income countries have all the COVID-19 vaccine doses they need.
• More than 8 out of 10 Canadians agree that Canada should donate its excess doses of COVID-19 vaccines to lower-income countries once it has secured enough doses for all Canadians.

How do Canadians feel about immunization?

• 71% say they plan to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they able.
• 2/3 of parents would want their children to have the COVID-19 vaccine when it is approved and available for those under 16.
• Over a quarter of Canadians have changed their opinions on immunization for other diseases since the start of the pandemic.
• 88% of those who changed their opinion on routine immunizations view vaccines more favourably than before COVID-19. The largest shifts by demographics were among Albertans, parents and those 18-34 years old.
• 3% of all Canadians surveyed said the pandemic has made them less favourable towards immunization.

ABOUT THE SURVEY

This survey explores Canadians’ opinions of immunization both domestically and globally. Fieldwork was conducted March 19-24, 2021.

A total of 1,008 Canadian adults aged 18+ were surveyed online in English and French, with quotas used to ensure they form a nationally representative sample of the population by age, gender and geography.

ABOUT FUSE INSIGHTS

Founded in 2016 by award winning researchers, Fuse Insights provides custom research studies, research strategy and consulting services for clients including some of Canada’s largest and most innovative companies. At Fuse Insights we believe successful research doesn’t just generate insights, it changes how people think, it shapes strategy and it becomes part of companies’ identity.
 

For full poll results, please contact:

Emily O’Connor Communications Manager EOconnor@unicef.ca 416 482-6552 x8866 / 647-500-4230

Marie-Claude Rouillard Communications Manager MRouillard@unicef.ca (514) 288-5134 ext 8425 / 514-232-4510