One-in-five vaccinated Canadians feel COVID-19 boosters don’t prevent serious illness: poll

Many Canadians are reluctant to get second booster shots, according to a new poll.

The Angus Reid Institute polled over 1,500 Canadians about their booster plans. Three in five said they were ready and willing to get their next shot when available, while 62 per cent of those polled said they would do it annually if necessary.

“There is, however, an emerging schism among those willing to continue receiving a COVID-19 inoculation,” a spokesperson for Angus Reid said.

“For those who have already had three or four shots, the willingness to keep boosting remains high.”

Among Canadians who have received one or two doses, 17 per cent said they would seek another vaccine shot, while three in five said no.

Just over half of the respondents (54 per cent) said their province should offer a fourth dose to all adults who want one as soon as possible, while one in five (18 per cent) prefer to wait until the fall.

Polling data courtesy of Angus Reid Institute.

22% of Canadians feel boosters offer no protection against COVID-19, variants: Poll

According to the same Angus Reid poll, not every Canadian is convinced that the latest boosters will protect them against COVID-19 and its emerging variants.

One in five (22 per cent) of Canadians said they do not believe that keeping up with vaccinations gives a person protection against infection or severe illness.

Eighteen per cent believe there’s no immediate urgency, and booster doses can wait until the fall. One-quarter (25 per cent) said there’s no need to expand booster eligibility.

Three in five (62 per cent) of those polled said they would be willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine once a year for as long as necessary, assuming doctors and public health officials recommended it.

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Ontario’s chief medical officer of health addressed a potential annual COVID-19 vaccine shot in a recent interview with CityNews, saying that would likely become the new norm.

“Right now, the virus clearly isn’t becoming seasonal. We’re getting a summer wave,” Dr. Kieran Moore added.

“Once it does turn into a more seasonal virus – which has happened to the previous coronavirus that affects humans – then a once a year, a seasonal vaccine for coronavirus may be appropriate at that time.”