Vaccination during pregnancy : Reasons for non-vaccination during pregnancy
Interactive data visualization of the reasons for non-vaccination during pregnancy.
- Last updated: 2024-09-16
This tab presents data on the reasons non-vaccinated respondents gave for not receiving the pertussis (whooping cough) or influenza (flu) vaccine during their pregnancy.
Definitions of pertussis (whooping cough) and influenza (flu)
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Pertussis is a contagious bacterial infection of the lungs and airways. It causes serious coughing fits that can lead to choking or vomiting. Without treatment, pertussis can last for weeks or months, and can cause brain damage or even death. Pertussis is particularly serious and most dangerous in infants and young children who are not yet eligible for vaccination or are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated.
- Influenza (flu)
- Influenza is a contagious viral respiratory infection. While most people recover from influenza within a week, severe illness can occur. Some groups, including pregnant individuals, are at a greater risk of influenza-related complications. In Canada, influenza is ranked among the top 10 leading causes of death.
Figure 1. Reasons for non-vaccination against during pregnancy, Canada
The figure will update based on the dropdown selection. 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.
Data source: Survey on Vaccination during Pregnancy, 2019 and 2021
Download data (.zip)Notes on the data
- Only biological mothers who were not vaccinated against pertussis during pregnancy were included in the calculation of the estimates on the reasons for pertussis non-vaccination (n=2,260 in 2019; n=865 in 2021).
- Respondents could select more than one reason for non-vaccination against pertussis; therefore, the totals of the illustrated estimates may exceed 100%.
- Only biological mothers who were not vaccinated against influenza during pregnancy were included in the calculation of the estimates on the reasons for influenza non-vaccination (n=1,051 in 2019; n=561 in 2021).
- Respondents could select more than one reason for non-vaccination against influenza; therefore, the totals of the illustrated estimates may exceed 100%.
Figure 1 — Text description
Reasons for non-vaccination against pertussis during pregnancy
Reasons for non-vaccination against influenza during pregnancy
Data source: Survey on Vaccination during Pregnancy, 2019 and 2021
F Estimates have been suppressed becuase they do not meet quality and/or confidentiality standards
↑ Rounds up to whole number
↓ Rounds down to whole number
* Statistically significant difference in the estimate between 2019 and 2021
— No data to show
Reasons for pertussis non-vaccination during pregnancy
In both 2019 and 2021, the most frequently reported reasons for not getting the pertussis vaccine during pregnancy were:
- not being aware that the pertussis vaccine was recommended during pregnancy
- not wanting to receive the pertussis vaccine during pregnancy
- the vaccine not being offered by the primary health care provider
Between 2019 and 2021, there was a significant decline in the percentage of respondents who did not receive the pertussis vaccine due to a lack of awareness of the recommendation. However, there was a significant increase in the percentage of those who did not want the pertussis vaccine during pregnancy and those who did not believe that their baby was at risk of getting pertussis.
Reasons for influenza non-vaccination during pregnancy
In both 2019 and 2021, the most frequently reported reasons for not getting the influenza vaccine during pregnancy were:
- not wanting to receive the influenza vaccine during pregnancy
- not being aware that the influenza vaccine was recommended during pregnancy
Between 2019 and 2021, no major changes were seen among the reasons cited for not receiving the influenza vaccine during pregnancy. However, there was a significant increase in the percentage of individuals who reported not getting vaccinated because they believed that having influenza during pregnancy would not have been serious.
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