Vaccines Among Canadians and Americans: Influenza and COVID-19

June 10, 2020

Around the world, scientists and researchers are working hard to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. With this in mind, Leger’s Healthcare team conducted a survey from May 22-25, 2020 among Canadians and Americans to explore: 

  • Whether they got the influenza (flu) vaccination in the last year 
  • Whether they plan to get the influenza (flu) vaccination in preparation for the 2020 Fall/Winter season
  • Whether they plan to get the COVID-19 vaccination when it becomes available to the population 

HIGHLIGHTS

Canadians are less likely than Americans to indicate they got the influenza vaccine within the last year and/or plan to get it in preparation for the 2020 Fall/Winter season. However, they are more likely than Americans to say they plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to the population.

  • 41% of Canadians got the influenza vaccine in the last year, compared to 49% of Americans. 
  • 48% of Canadians plan to get the influenza vaccine in preparation for the 2020 Fall/Winter season, compared to 53% of Americans. 
  • 61% of Canadians plan to get the COVID-19 vaccination when it becomes available to the population, compared to 52% of Americans. 

Two-in-five (41%) Canadians indicate they got the influenza vaccination in the last year, more (48%) indicate that they plan to get it in preparation for the 2020 Fall/Winter season, and even more (61%) indicate they plan to get the COVID-19 vaccination when it is available.

Older Canadians are more likely to indicate that they got the influenza vaccination in the last year (46% of those aged 55-64, 65% of those aged 65 or older), and/or plan to get it in preparation for the 2020 Fall/Winter season (54% of those aged 55-64, 72% of those aged 65 or older). Canadians aged 65 or older are more likely to indicate they plan to get the COVID-19 vaccination when it becomes available to the population (78%). 

These proportions also vary regionally, with Quebecers least likely to indicate they got the influenza vaccination in the last year (32%) and least likely to be planning to get the influenza vaccination in preparation for the 2020 Fall/Winter season (40%), compared to residents of all other provinces.  

Conversely, Quebecers are more likely than residents of all other provinces to indicate they plan to get the COVID-19 vaccination when it becomes available. 

SURVEY METHODOLOGY

This web survey was conducted from May 22 to May 25, 2020, with 1,510 Canadians and 1,005 Americans, 18 years of age or older, randomly recruited from LEO’s online panel. 

Using data from the 2016 Census, the results were weighted by gender, age, mother tongue, region, education level and presence of children in the household in order to ensure a representative sample of the population. 

For comparison, a probability sample of 1,510 respondents would have a margin of error of ±2.52%, 19 times out of 20, while a probability sample of 1,005 would have a margin of error of +3.1%, 19 times out of 20. The research results presented here are in full compliance with the CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards and Disclosure Requirements. 

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT HOW LEGER’S HEALTHCARE TEAM CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR NEXT VACCINE MARKET RESEARCH STUDY?

Click here to learn more about our vaccine market research expertise. 

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