Childhood Immunization Coverage Survey: Understanding the data

Information on the data used to build this dashboard, and explanations and definitions of terms used in this publication.

  • Last updated: ...

This dashboard provides detailed data on COVID-19 and seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination coverage among children. Vaccination coverage is the percentage of a population vaccinated against a disease. This data can be used to complement existing knowledge and to generate new ideas for further research.

On this page

Data source

The Childhood COVID-19 Immunization Coverage Survey (CCICS) was first conducted in 2022. It is an annual survey that collects information from parents and guardians of children younger than 18 years of age. The survey asks parents and guardians about:

  • their child’s COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccination
  • intentions to vaccinate their child
  • barriers to vaccination, and knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs around these vaccines

Summary of survey characteristics,

Respondent (parents) profile, by province/territory and by child's sex and age group,

CCICS is a self-reported survey. Such surveys are prone to biases such as recall bias, social desirability bias and non-response bias. If present, these biases may lead to an over- or under-estimation of measures. Efforts to increase response rates and minimize the effects of non-response bias were implemented. It should be noted that participants were aware the survey was about COVID-19 and seasonal influenza which may have increased participation among people interested in these topics or who feel strongly about it. Institutionalised children and youth were not included in the survey, and those who do not speak either of the official languages were not able to participate as the survey is only offered in English and French.

Notes on estimates

The estimates (percentages) derived using data from the CCICS are all weighted estimates. This means that survey sampling weights, adjusted for child’s age, child’s sex assigned at birth and province/territory were applied to the calculations to ensure that the derived estimates are representative of the Canadian population.

The terms "increased", "decreased", and "unchanged" are used throughout this publication when discussing differences between socio-demographic groups and changes over time. The term refers to statistical significance, which means that any differences in estimates between the studied groups or between two time points are likely not due to chance, but are instead true differences caused by something other than chance.

The small black bars visible on some of the charts represent the confidence intervals around the estimates. Confidence intervals (CIs) are one way to relay information about how "good" an estimate is. The wider the confidence interval for a particular estimate, the more caution is required when using the estimate.

Definitions

Vaccine hesitancy
The World Health Organization (WHO) defined vaccine hesitancy as a delay in acceptance or a refusal of vaccines despite availability. Although vaccine hesitancy is influenced by multiple factors itself, hesitancy also plays a role in understanding vaccine uptake.
Medical conditions
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. Medical conditions were selected based on the Canadian Immunization Guide.
Disability
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). The definition was adapted from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Routine childhood vaccinations
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.
Provincial-Territorial routine vaccination programs
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 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.
Immunization of workers: Canadian Immunization Guide

COVID-19 immunization

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends a COVID-19 vaccine for previously vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure or severe COVID-19 disease, which includes the following individuals (NACI recommendations for use):

  • All adults 65 years of age or older
  • Those 6 months of age and older who are:
    • Residents of long-term care homes and other congregate living settings
    • Individuals with underlying medical conditions that place them at higher risk of severe COVID-19, including children with complex health needs
    • Pregnant women and individuals who are pregnant
    • Individuals in or from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities
    • Health care workers and other care providers in facilities and community settings
    • Members of racialized and other equity-denied communities

NACI recommends that all other previously vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals (6 months of age and older) who are not at increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 exposure or severe COVID-19 disease (i.e., not on the list above) may receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

More information:

Seasonal influenza immunization

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that adults and children 6 months of age and older should receive 1 dose of influenza vaccine each year; and children 6 months to less than 9 years of age who have never received the seasonal influenza vaccine in a previous influenza season should be given 2 doses of influenza vaccine in the current season, with a minimum interval of 4 weeks between doses. Administration of COVID-19 vaccines may occur at the same time as, or at any time before or after influenza immunization (including all seasonal influenza vaccines or LAIV) for those aged 5 years and older.

Canadian Immunization Guide Chapter on Influenza and Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2022–2023

Summary of results

Detailed results tables and the methodological report

Acknowledgements

The Canadian data presented in this dashboard would not have been possible without the survey participants who generously dedicated their time and thoughtfully responded to the multitude of survey questions presented to them. To all those who participated in the 2022 and 2023 Childhood COVID-19 Immunization Coverage Survey, we extend our gratitude.

Contact us

Inquiries about this publication can be directed to  ccics-ecvec@phac-aspc.gc.ca

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.

All Health Infobase data products

Did you find what you were looking for?

What was wrong?

Answers to frequently asked questions can be found in the Understanding the data section!

(Don’t include any personal information. Note that you will not receive a reply.)
Maximum 300 characters

Thank you for your feedback

Date modified: