Canadians receiving the flu shot in previous year percent 2003-2020

In 2020, around 39 percent of Canadians reported receiving an influenza immunization in the past year. This was the highest share seen in recent years, with less than 34 percent of Canadians receiving a flu vaccination the year before. The COVID-19 pandemic and the increased awareness of health and virus transmission that it brought may have motivated more people in Canada to receive a flu vaccination in 2020 than in recent years.

Flu vaccinations in Canada

The Canadian government recommends that everyone six months and older should get a yearly flu vaccination. The vaccine is safe and effective and is easily accessible in Canada. However, although the flu vaccination is the best defense against catching and spreading the flu, many Canadians still choose not to receive the vaccination. For example, a survey from 2020, found that only around 48 percent of Canadians stated they planned to get an influenza vaccination that year. The same survey also asked U.S. adults about their plans to receive an influenza vaccination that year, with around 53 percent stating they planned on getting one.

Deaths from influenza

Although influenza may seem like a relatively harmless virus to many, influenza and pneumonia are in fact the ninth leading cause of death in Canada. Older adults and those with preexisting health conditions such as cancer and heart disease are some of the groups most at risk of dying from influenza and pneumonia. In 2020, the death rate for influenza and pneumonia in Canada was about 15.6 per 100,000 population, a decrease from recent years. It is important to remember that when receiving an influenza vaccination, one is not only protecting oneself, but also helping to minimize the chances of other people catching the virus.

Percentage of Canadians who have received the influenza immunization less than one year ago from 2003 to 2020

Characteristic	Percentage of persons aged 12 years and older
2020	39%
2019	33.6%
2018	31.5%
2017	32.6%
2016	31.6%
2015	33.3%
2014	32.5%
2013	29.3%
2012	28.9%
2011	30.2%
2010	25.5%
2009	32.2%
2008	31.7%
2007	31.6%
2005	33.8%
2003	27.6%

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Release date

August 2022

More information

Region

Canada

Survey time period

2003 to 2020

Number of respondents

65,000 respondents

Age group

12 years and older

Supplementary notes

All figures are annual estimates.
Since 2007, data for the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) are collected yearly instead of every two years. While a sample of approximately 130,000 respondents were interviewed during the reference periods of 2003 and 2005, it has been changed to 65,000 respondents each year starting in 2007.

The 2009 data on flu shots may include H1N1 vaccines received in the Fall of 2009. In 2010, the word "seasonal" was added to the questions in order to collect the two types of vaccines separately. After 2010, the separate module on H1N1 vaccines is not asked as the H1N1 flu shot is now given in combination with the seasonal flu vaccine.

Figures from 2003 to 2014 were taken from an archived page from the same source and can be accessed here.
As a result of the 2015 redesign, Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) has a new collection strategy, a new sample design, and has undergone major content revisions. With all these factors taken together, caution should be taken when comparing data from previous cycles to data released for the 2015 cycle onwards.

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