Two-thirds of Toronto parents ‘certain or somewhat likely’ to get young kids vaccinated against COVID-19, survey says
Parents of children aged 0 to 17 are less likely to be at risk for COVID-19 infection, but they are “certain or somewhat likely” to get their children vaccinated, a survey says.
Two-thirds of parents “are certain or somewhat likely” to get their kids vaccinated against COVID-19 — including at least some of those who don’t have children, according to a survey commissioned by the Immunitrack group, which advocates for parental immunization.
The survey, released Monday morning, also found Toronto “has one of the lowest rates of vaccine refusal among the five largest Canadian cities” among countries “per capita,” and suggests rates are similar elsewhere.
“My two-year-old is in the office with the nurse. I don’t know what to do about it,” said Nicole Hahn, the mother of a two-year-old boy, who was given the vaccine in Ontario but doesn’t have an immunization card yet.
Health Minister Christine Elliott said that any parent considering refusing immunizations should consult with their doctor and pharmacist on the best way to keep their immunizations up-to-date.
“Parents can also ask questions about vaccines, or call the Immunitrack online helpline at 1-877-387-7277 to discuss or make a consultation.”
The survey by Immunitrack surveyed 2,000 parents of children aged 0 to 17 about their attitudes and behaviours regarding immunizations, and about their beliefs about whether the government should require all young children to be vaccinated.
The survey also found Ontario parents are much less likely to be concerned about the risk of COVID-19 in their children than parents in other provinces and US states.
Forty-seven per cent of parents “are certain or somewhat likely” to vaccinate their children.
“I don’t think I could go against the medical advice,” one of the parents of children aged 0 to 1 said, citing the health of their children as the main reason.
