Based on coverage from The Star, Toronto Sun, and CHAT News Today.
A recent survey by Leger Healthcare reveals that while a strong majority of Canadians remain confident in vaccines, hesitancy is on the rise. Conducted in November 2025, the poll indicates that 74% of Canadian adults are either "very confident" or "somewhat confident" in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. However, about 25% of respondents reported a decline in confidence over the past five years.
Vaccine Confidence Varies by Age Group
The survey highlights significant differences in vaccine confidence across age groups. Canadians aged 65 and older show the highest levels of trust in vaccines and the information surrounding them. Conversely, younger adults, particularly those aged 18 to 34, report a notable drop in confidence, with 30% expressing increased hesitancy. The COVID-19 and flu vaccines are the primary sources of concern among this demographic.
Factors Contributing to Vaccine Hesitancy
Health-care providers identify several key drivers of vaccine hesitancy. Concerns about vaccine safety top the list, cited by 61% of respondents. Misinformation spread by social media influencers follows closely at 53%, and mistrust in institutions is noted by 48%. Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman, president of the Ontario Medical Association, emphasizes the need for health-care providers to engage in open conversations with patients to address these concerns.
Importance of Trusted Information Sources
The survey underscores the critical role of trusted information sources in shaping vaccine confidence. Family doctors and nurse practitioners are the most relied-upon sources, followed by Canadian government and public health websites. However, the lack of access to a family doctor for approximately six million Canadians may contribute to hesitancy. Dr. Cora Constantinescu, a pediatric infectious disease specialist in Calgary, warns against relying on U.S. government sources, which have become less trustworthy due to recent changes in leadership and advisory bodies.
Public Health Implications and Next Steps
The findings arrive at a crucial time as health officials urge Canadians to get their flu shots amid rising cases and hospitalizations. Clear and consistent communication about the benefits and risks of vaccines is essential to counter misinformation and build public trust. Despite the challenges, Dr. Constantinescu remains optimistic, noting that the majority of Canadians are vaccine confident, which she hopes will become a defining aspect of national identity.
Leger Healthcare's survey involved 1,521 Canadian adults and 300 health-care providers, conducted online in November 2025. While online surveys lack a traditional margin of error, Leger estimates a margin of error of ±2.50% for a probability sample of this size.
Source 1 | Source 2 | Source 3
Coverage was consistent across the sources, with all reporting on the increased vaccine hesitancy in Canada and the factors contributing to it. No meaningful differences in coverage were found across the sources provided.
