Survey: Only 49 Percent Of Canadians Want To Receive H1N1 Vaccine

October 26, 2009 6:19 a.m. EST

Ottawa, Ontario (AHN) - Fewer Canadians want to receive the Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine now compared to in July. According to the October survey made by the Strategic Counsel, the number of Canadians who want the swine flu immunization shot has gone down to 49 percent.

A previous survey made by the same firm in July found 62 percent willing to get the H1N1 vaccine.

The findings of the survey comes at a time that Health Canada approved last week the adjuvanted swine flu shots. The decline in numbers is attributed to questions about the safety of the H1N1 vaccine and perceptions the influenza virus is not that strong, comparing it to the common cold.

By age group, opposition to the flu shot were strongest among Canadians aged 18 to 34, while by province it was strongest in Quebec. By gender, females were more opposed to the vaccine than Canadian males.

Despite the lesser number of Canadians interested in getting inoculated, the survey showed there was an improvement in residents' perception of government efforts to prevent and prepare for a second wave of H1N1 pandemic. About 46 percent said the federal government did a good job, 47 percent made the same comment on their provincial government and 34 percent on their local and municipal government. Similar responses were made in July by only 44 percent for Ottawa, 38 percent for their provincial government an 27 percent for their local government.

The online survey had 1,000 participants and was conducted Oct. 22 to 24.