Although flu vaccination rates across Canada have gone up, a large number of high-risk people are still not being vaccinated, according to a study carried out by Statistics Canada. After seeming to level off in 2003, vaccination rates across Canada started to increase again in 2005.

However, the report indicates that many who are considered to be at high risk of serious complications from flu, especially younger people with chronic conditions, as well as the elderly, are not being vaccinated. For these vulnerable groups flu (influenza) can lead to serious complications, and sometimes death.

In the year 1996-1997, 15% of Canada’s population was vaccinated. In the year 2000-2001 the figure rose to 27%, and then to 34% in 2005. Ontario has seen rates rise from 18% in 1996-1997 to 42% in 2005 – in Ontario everyone aged six months or more is can have free flu shots. At the bottom of the list in 2005 were Labrador and Newfoundland, at 22%.

Flu shot targets for the over 65s were set at 70% in 1993, and for everybody with chronic medical conditions. The target for the over 65s rose to 80% in 2005. In 2005, the vaccination rate for people aged 65-74 was 62%, while the 80% target was met as far as the over 75s were concerned – and only them. Only 56% of 50-64 year-olds with chronic conditions were vaccinated in 2005. Less than one third of those aged under 50 with chronic conditions were vaccinated in 2005.

Vaccination rates for younger people went up significantly in Ontario immediately after the introduction of the universal vaccination program, while rates for the elderly remained flat.

Offering universal vaccination does not seem to guarantee high uptake rates. Yukon, which has offered free flu shots to everybody aged at least 18 since 1999 has the lowest vaccination rates of all Canadian territories. Nova Scotia, which does not have a universal vaccination program, has vaccination rates similar to Ontario among high-risk groups. Before the introduction of their universal vaccination program, Nunavut already had the highest vaccination rates among the elderly.

“Trends in influenza vaccination in Canada, 1996/1997 to 2005”
Jeff C. Kwong, Laura C. Rosella and Helen Johansen
— Click here to see the report in HTML
— Click here to see the report in PDF

Written by: Christian Nordqvist