Childhood Immunization Coverage Survey: COVID-19 vaccination coverage
Interactive graphs, charts and maps of COVID-19 vaccination coverage among children.
- Last updated: ...
This tab presents data on COVID-19 vaccination coverage by social and demographic factors. It also explores indicators related to vaccine uptake. In this case, COVID-19 vaccination coverage refers to receiving at least 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine approved in Canada.
COVID-19 vaccination coverage estimates from the 2022 Childhood COVID-19 Immunization Coverage Survey (CCICS) only included children 5 to 17 years of age, as children below 5 years were not eligible for vaccination when data was collected. Therefore, when making comparisons between the 2023 and 2022 cycles of CCICS, ensure that the age groups are the same.
On this page
- COVID-19 vaccination coverage among children younger than 18 years
- COVID-19 vaccination coverage by sociodemographic factors
- Reasons for vaccination against COVID-19
- Obstacles to COVID-19 vaccination
- COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and refusal
- COVID-19 vaccination coverage by healthcare provider recommendation
- Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs towards COVID-19 vaccination
Key findings in CCICS
...%
...%
...%
...%
COVID-19 vaccination coverage among children younger than 18 years
Figure 1: COVID-19 vaccination coverage among in Canada, in
The figure will update based on the dropdown selections. For help with interpretation, hover over, tab to, or click the provinces/territories.
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Figure 1: Text description
Figure 1: Notes
- For 2022, overall only includes 5- to 17-year-olds as children 4 years and below were not eligible for vaccination at the time of data collection.
- The symbols up arrow↑ and down arrow↓ refer to the direction of rounding to integers.
- #: High sampling variability or small sample size — although an estimate may be determined from the table, data should be suppressed.
- N/A: Not applicable.
Key observations
COVID-19 vaccination coverage varied across the provinces and territories and in 2023, it was highest in Northwest Territories and lowest in Alberta; while in 2022, it was highest in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nunavut and lowest in Alberta.
In 2023, COVID-19 vaccination coverage among children aged 5-17 years significantly decreased in almost all provinces, compared to 2022. The largest decreases were in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba.
COVID-19 vaccination coverage by sociodemographic factors
Figure 2: COVID-19 vaccination coverage by among , in
The figure will update based on the dropdown selections. For help with interpreting what you see, hover over the bars. To hide or show data for a specific year, click on that year in the legend.
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Figure 2: Text description
Figure 2: Notes
- For 2022, overall includes 5- to 17-year-olds as children 4 years and below were not eligible for vaccination at the time of data collection.
- Multiple response options could be selected for race or ethnicity and employment sector questions.
- Medical conditions of interest include sickle cell anemia or thalassemia major, neurologic or neurodevelopmental disorders, asthma or other chronic lung diseases, chronic liver, heart or kidney disease, diabetes, obesity or Down Syndrome, immune suppression or cancer and other medical conditions.
- A person with a disability is a person who has a long-term or recurring impairment (such as vision, hearing, mobility, flexibility, dexterity, pain, learning, developmental, memory or mental health-related) which limits their daily activities inside or outside the home (such as at school, work, or in the community in general).
- Routine childhood vaccinations for children 0-17 years of age include vaccines against infections such as measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, Human papillomavirus, etc.
- High-risk jobs: Workers in a variety of settings may be exposed to vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccination against specific vaccine-preventable diseases will protect the worker and/or reduce transmission of infection to others. Vaccines recommended for workers include vaccines that are part of the routine immunization schedule and are recommended because of specific occupational risks, for example, health care or laboratory workers, emergency services workers, police, child care, animal exposure, etc.
- The symbols up arrow↑ and down arrow↓ refer to the direction of rounding to integers.
- #: High sampling variability or small sample size — although an estimate may be determined from the table, data should be suppressed.
- N/A: Not applicable.
Key observations
In 2022 and 2023, COVID-19 vaccination coverage among children 6 months to 17 years old was highest among those that identify as East or Southeast Asian ethnicity, and those living in urban areas.
COVID-19 vaccination coverage was generally higher in children who had parents or guardians with a bachelor’s degree or above, higher household income or parents or guardians worked in a high-risk job (such as healthcare or laboratory worker, childcare or schools, emergency services). COVID-19 vaccination was also higher in children who received all recommended routine vaccines as per their age group.
Compared to 2022, in 2023, more children with an existing medical condition or a disability had at least 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine than those without. In 2022, there were no differences in vaccination coverage between the groups.
Reasons for COVID-19 vaccination in children
Figure 3: Reasons for vaccinating child against COVID-19, among , in
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Figure 3: Text description
Figure 3: Notes
- Multiple response options could be selected by respondents.
- For 2022, overall includes 5- to 17-year-olds as children 4 years and below were not eligible for vaccination at the time of data collection.
- The symbols up arrow↑ and down arrow↓ refer to the direction of rounding to integers.
- #: High sampling variability or small sample size — although an estimate may be determined from the table, data should be suppressed.
- N/A: Not applicable.
Key observations
In both 2022 and 2023, the most common reasons parents vaccinated their child against COVID-19 were based on public health recommendations, to protect their child or household members against COVID-19 infection and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
Obstacles to COVID-19 vaccination
Figure 4: Obstacles that prevented parents from vaccinating their children against COVID-19, among , in
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Figure 4: Text description
Figure 4: Notes
- Multiple response options could be selected by respondents.
- For 2022, overall includes 5- to 17-year-olds as children 4 years and below were not eligible for vaccination at the time of data collection.
- The symbols up arrow↑ and down arrow↓ refer to the direction of rounding to integers.
- #: High sampling variability or small sample size — although an estimate may be determined from the table, data should be suppressed.
- N/A: Not applicable.
Key observations
In both 2022 and 2023, most parents and guardians of unvaccinated children aged 6 months to 17 years said they did not face any obstacles vaccinating their child. In 2023, among parents and guardians that did face an obstacle, more reported that at least one parent opposed vaccination, compared to those in 2022. There was a decrease in the percentage of parents reporting that their child fears needles or those who had difficulty booking time off work or school, compared to 2022.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and vaccine refusal
The World Health Organization (WHO) defined vaccine hesitancy as a delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability.
Figure 5: Percentage of who were hesitant to vaccinate their child against COVID-19, among , by province/territory in
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Figure 5: Text description
Figure 5: Notes
- For 2022, overall includes 5- to 17-year-olds as children 4 years and below were not eligible for vaccination at the time of data collection.
- Vaccine hesitancy refers to a delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability.
- The symbols up arrow↑ and down arrow↓ refer to the direction of rounding to integers.
- *: Moderate sampling variability, interpret with caution.
- #: High sampling variability or small sample size — although an estimate may be determined from the table, data should be suppressed.
- N/A: Not applicable.
Key observations
Many factors influence why people are unwilling or unsure about vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy plays a role in how many people get vaccinated. The survey reports on vaccine hesitancy among all parents and guardians, those with children who were vaccinated, and those with children who were not.
Overall, the percentage of parents of children under 18 who reported being hesitant to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 did not change between 2022 and 2023.
Vaccine hesitancy remained the same or decreased from 2022 to 2023 across provinces and territories. In 2023, there was an increase in hesitancy in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, compared to 2022.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was higher in parents with unvaccinated children than parents with vaccinated children. This was consistent in 2022 and 2023.
Figure 6: Reasons why parents were hesitant to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, among ,
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Figure 6: Text description
Figure 6: Notes
- Multiple response options could be selected by respondents.
- For 2022, overall includes 5- to 17-year-olds as children 4 years and below were not eligible for vaccination at the time of data collection.
- Among all parents, regardless of child's vaccination status.
- Vaccine hesitancy refers to a delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability.
- The symbols up arrow↑ and down arrow↓ refer to the direction of rounding to integers.
Key observations
In both 2022 and 2023, the most common reasons why parents were hesitant to vaccinate their child against COVID-19 were concerns that not enough research on the vaccine was done in children, concerns about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and side effects and concerns about the effectiveness of these vaccines.
From 2022 to 2023, there was an increase in the percentage of parents reporting concerns that not enough research has been done in children, and there was a significant decrease in the percentage of parents reporting concerns about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in 2023, compared to 2022.
Figure 7: Percentage of who refused to vaccinate their child against COVID-19, by province/territory, in
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Figure 7: Text description
Figure 7: Notes
- For 2022, overall includes 5- to 17-year-olds as children 4 years and below were not eligible for vaccination at the time of data collection.
- Wording of the question changed from "decided not to vaccinate" in 2022; to "refused to vaccinate" in 2023.
- Among children who were not vaccinated.
- The symbols up arrow↑ and down arrow↓ refer to the direction of rounding to integers.
- #: High sampling variability or small sample size — although an estimate may be determined from the table, data should be suppressed.
- N/A: Not applicable.
Key observations
From 2022 to 2023, there was a decrease in the percentage of parents and guardians that refused to vaccinate their child against COVID-19. There were significant decreases in New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario in 2023, compared to 2022.
Figure 8: Reasons why parents refused to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, among ,
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Figure 8: Text description
Figure 8: Notes
- For 2022, overall includes 5- to 17-year-olds as children 4 years and below were not eligible for vaccination at the time of data collection.
- Wording of the question changed from "decided not to vaccinate" in 2022; to "refused to vaccinate" in 2023.
- Multiple response options could be selected by respondents; list of response options changed between 2022 and 2023.
- Among children who were not vaccinated.
- The symbols up arrow↑ and down arrow↓ refer to the direction of rounding to integers.
Key observations
The main reasons parents refused to vaccinate their child were concerns about the safety and side effects of COVID-19 vaccines. This was consistent in 2022 and 2023.
Compared to 2022, in 2023, more parents of females than parents of males reported concerns regarding safety and side effects of COVID-19 vaccines.
COVID-19 vaccination coverage by healthcare provider recommendation
Figure 9: COVID-19 vaccination coverage by health care provider recommendation to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, among in 2023
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Figure 9: Text description
Figure 9: Notes
- This question was not asked of respondents in 2022.
- The symbols up arrow↑ and down arrow↓ refer to the direction of rounding to integers.
Key observations
In 2023, more children aged 6 months to 17 years who received a recommendation to get a COVID-19 vaccine from a health care provider reported receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This is compared to children who did not receive a recommendation.
Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs towards COVID-19 vaccination
Parents were asked to what extent they agreed or disagreed with a number of statements. These statements were used to learn about their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (KABs) towards vaccination.
Figure 10: Parents' agreement with the statement , among , by vaccination status in
The figure will update based on the dropdown selections. For help with interpreting what you see, hover over the bars. To show or hide the agree, disagree, or don’t know responses on the figure, click on them in the legend located below the figure.
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Figure 10: Text description
Figure 10: Notes
- For 2022, overall includes 5- to 17-year-olds as children 4 years and below were not eligible for vaccination at the time of data collection.
- Some statements changed between years.
- The symbols up arrow↑ and down arrow↓ refer to the direction of rounding to integers.
- #: High sampling variability or small sample size — although an estimate may be determined from the table, data should be suppressed.
Key observations
The majority of parents and guardians had positive views of COVID-19 vaccination. This remained consistent in 2022 and 2023, although there was a decrease in positive views between the two years.
Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs were significantly different between parents of vaccinated and unvaccinated children. For example, more parents of unvaccinated children disagree that COVID-19 vaccines are safe (46.5%) or effective (42.1%) compared to parents of vaccinated children (9.6% and 11.7%, respectively).
The percentage of parents with unvaccinated children who answered “Don’t know” was higher for most statements compared to parents with vaccinated children. This shows a possible knowledge gap.
More information
Continue reading to learn about seasonal influenza vaccination coverage in Canada.
You might also be interested in
COVID-19 wastewater surveillance dashboard
Trend data about the levels of COVID-19 in the wastewater.
COVID-19 vaccination
Number of COVID-19 vaccine doses that have been administered in Canada.
- Date modified: