Childhood Immunization Coverage Survey: Seasonal influenza vaccination coverage
Interactive charts, maps and graphs of seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination coverage among children.
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This tab presents data on seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination coverage among children aged 6 months to 17 years. It explores social and demographic factors and reasons for getting and refusing vaccines. For the 2022 and 2023 cycles, the influenza season was from September of the previous year to March of the survey year.
On this page
- Seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination coverage in children younger than 18 years of age
- Seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination coverage by sociodemographic factors
- Reasons for seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination
- Obstacles to seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination
- Parents' intentions to vaccinate their children against seasonal influenza (flu)
- Seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination hesitancy and vaccine refusal among parents
- Seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination coverage by healthcare provider recommendation
- Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs towards seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination
Key findings in CCICS
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Seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination coverage among children younger than 18 years of age
Figure 1: Seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination coverage among in Canada in
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Note: Seasonal influenza coverage is among children 6 months and above
Figure 1: Text description
Figure 1: Notes
- Seasonal influenza coverage is among children 6 months to 18-year-olds.
- In 2022 to 2023, all provinces and territories had publicly funded influenza vaccines for all children 6 months and older. In November 2022, Quebec publicly funded influenza vaccines for everyone 6 months and older.
- 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.
Key observations
From 2022 to 2023, seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination coverage among children aged 6 months to 17 years significantly increased in most provinces. The largest increases were seen in British Columbia and Nova Scotia. In both years, seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination coverage was highest in Northwest Territories and lowest in Quebec.
By age group, seasonal influenza vaccination increased in 5- to 11-year-olds and 12- to 17-year-olds. It was unchanged among children 6 months to 4 years.
Vaccination coverage by sociodemographic factors
Figure 2: Seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination coverage by among in
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Figure 2: Text description
Figure 2: Notes
- 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).
- High-risk jobs are seen in 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.
- 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.
- 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
In both 2022 and 2023, seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination coverage among children 6 months to 17 years of age was highest in children of East or Southeast Asian descent and among those of South Asian descent, and lowest in those that identified as Black. More children aged 6 months to 17 years living in urban areas received a seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine in the 2022 to 2023 influenza (flu) season. This is compared to those living in a rural area.
In 2022 and 2023, children with an existing medical condition were more likely to get a seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine. This is compared to those without a medical condition. In both years, there was no difference between seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine coverage among children with a disability compared to children without.
Reasons for seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination in children
Figure 3: Reasons for vaccinating child against seasonal influenza (flu), 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.
- 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
In both 2022 and 2023, the most common reasons parents and guardians vaccinated their child against seasonal influenza (flu) were to protect their child or household members against seasonal influenza (flu) infections, to prevent the spread of seasonal influenza (flu) in their community and that their child receives the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine every year.
There were no significant differences between reasons reported by parents of males and parents of females.
Obstacles to seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination among children
Figure 4: Obstacles that prevented parents from vaccinating their child against seasonal influenza (flu), 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 obstacles encountered.
- 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
In 2022 and 2023, most parents and guardians of unvaccinated children aged 6 months to 17 years indicated they did not face any obstacles in vaccinating their child against seasonal influenza (flu). The most common obstacles reported by parents were they had difficulty booking time off work or school for a vaccine appointment, and their child fears needles.
Intentions to vaccinate against seasonal influenza (flu)
Figure 5: Parents' intentions to vaccinate their child against seasonal influenza during the next flu season, 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
- 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.
- Estimates may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
Key observations
In both 2022 and 2023, approximately half of parents and guardians reported that they definitely will or probably will get their child the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine during the next influenza season. In both 2022 and 2023 cycles, the younger the child, the more likely parents were to indicate that they will vaccinate their child.
Seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination hesitancy and vaccine refusal among parents
Many factors influence why people are unwilling or unsure about vaccination (vaccine hesitancy). 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.
Figure 6: Percentage of who were hesitant to vaccinate their child against seasonal influenza (flu), among , by province/territory in
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Figure 6: Text description
Figure 6: Notes
- Seasonal influenza vaccine hesitancy is among parents and guardians whose children were eligible for the vaccine at the time of survey (i.e., 6 months and older).
- 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.
- #: High sampling variability or small sample size — although an estimate may be determined from the table, data should be suppressed.
Key observations
Parents and guardians were more hesitant to vaccinate their child against seasonal influenza (the flu) in 2023 than 2022. In 2023, hesitancy was lowest in Nova Scotia and Northwest Territories and highest in Quebec. In 2022, hesitancy was lowest in Nunavut and highest in Yukon.
In 2023, more parents and guardians of children 5 to 11 and 12 to 17 years of age were hesitant to vaccinate their children. This is compared to parents and guardians of children 6 months to 4 years of age.
In 2023, hesitancy among parents of vaccinated children was higher in Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Northwest Territories. In 2022, hesitancy was highest in Northwest Territories. Among parents of unvaccinated children, significantly more parents were hesitant to vaccinate their child in 2023, compared to 2022. In 2023, hesitancy was lowest in Nova Scotia and highest in British Columbia. In 2022, hesitancy was lowest in Quebec and highest in Yukon.
Figure 7: Reasons why parents were hesitant to vaccinate their children against seasonal influenza (flu), among in
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Figure 7: Text description
Figure 7: Notes
- Multiple response options could be selected by respondents.
- 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.
- #: High sampling variability or small sample size — although an estimate may be determined from the table, data should be suppressed.
Key observations
In both 2022 and 2023, the most common reasons why parents were hesitant to vaccinate their child against seasonal influenza (flu) were concerns about the effectiveness of the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine, their child was not at risk of getting the seasonal influenza (flu) or at risk of severe infection and concerns about the safety or side effects of the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccines.
In 2023, more parents and guardians of children 6 months to 4 years of age were concerned about the effectiveness of the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine. This is compared to parents of children 5 to 11 and 12 to 17 years of age. In 2022, more parents and guardians of children 6 months to 4 years of age felt that their child was not at risk of getting the seasonal influenza (flu) or at risk of severe infection. This is compared to parents of children 5 to 11 and 12 to 17 years of age.
Figure 8: Percentage of who refused to vaccinate their child against seasonal influenza (flu), by province/territory in
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Figure 8: Text description
Figure 8: Notes
- Seasonal influenza vaccine refusal is among parents and guardians whose children were eligible for the vaccine at the time of survey (i.e., 6 months and older).
- 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.
Key observations
Nationally, the percentage of all parents who refused to vaccinate their child against seasonal influenza (flu) decreased between 2022 and 2023. There was a significant decrease across most provinces. Seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine refusal increased slightly in Newfoundland and Labrador. Seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine refusal remained the same in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
Figure 9: Reasons why parents refused to vaccinate their children against seasonal influenza, among in
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Figure 9: Text description
Figure 9: Notes
- Multiple response options could be selected by respondents; list of response options changed between 2022 and 2023.
- Only asked of those 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.
Key observations
In 2023, the most common reasons why parents and guardians refused to vaccinate their children against seasonal influenza (the flu) were they never get the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine for their child or feel it is not necessary, had concerns about the safety of the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine or side effects, and believe the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine does not work. In 2022, the most common reasons were parents and guardians felt that their child was not at risk of getting seasonal influenza (the flu) or at risk of infection, they had concerns about the effectiveness of the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine, and they had concerns about the safety of the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine or side effects.
Seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination coverage by healthcare provider recommendation
Figure 10: Seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination coverage by health care provider recommendation to receive an influenza vaccine, among in 2023
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Figure 10: Text description
Figure 10: 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, a majority of children aged 6 months to 17 years who received a recommendation to get a seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine from a health care provider reported receiving an influenza (flu) vaccine. This is compared to those children who did not receive a recommendation.
Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs towards seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination
To explore knowledge, attitudes and beliefs (KABs) towards vaccinations, parents were asked to what extent they agreed or disagreed with statements related to the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine.
Figure 11: Parents' agreement with the statement , among , by vaccination status in
Hover over the visualization to view more detailed information that will help you interpret the data.
Figure 11: Text description
Figure 11: Notes
- 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
In both 2022 and 2023, most parents and guardians of children under 18 years agreed the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine is safe and effective. Parents of vaccinated children had the highest agreement that the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine is safe, when compared to parents of all children and parents of unvaccinated children under 18 years.
From 2022 to 2023, there was a slight decrease in parents who agreed that the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine is safe, and those agreeing that the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine is effective remained unchanged.
More information
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