A new poll says that Canadians are generally trusting of COVID-19 vaccines, although some brands are less trusted than others.
The newest survey from polling firm Leger says that over half of Canadians trust vaccines from four different manufacturers that are currently being used in the country.
The highest levels of trust were given to Pfizer, with 82 per cent of respondents saying they would trust the American-made vaccine for themselves or a relative.
The lowest levels of trust were placed in AstraZeneca, which was recently suspended for use in B.C. in patients 55 and under. 53 per cent of respondents nationwide said they would trust AstraZeneca for themselves or close family.
Vaccine trust is lowest in Alberta, which less than half (44 per cent) from the prairie province saying they trust AstraZeneca, and 59 per cent trusting the vaccine from Johnson and Johnson.
Quebec sees the highest level of trust in vaccinations, with 86 per cent of respondents from la belle province approving of Pfizer and 83 per cent trusting the vaccine from Moderna.
Age was also a factor in trust, with respondents 55 and over being most likely to trust vaccinations (85 per cent for Pfizer and Moderna).
Respondents between 35 to 54 showed the least amount of trust in vaccinations from AstraZeneca (49 per cent) while those 18 to 34 had the least amount of trust in Johnson and Johnson (62 per cent).
An increasing number of Canadians now say they will receive a vaccination once it becomes available.
58 per cent say they will take the first vaccine that becomes available to the public and is free. That’s an increase of over 20 points from November (37 per cent).
The number of people who say they will not take a vaccine under any circumstance has seen a small reduction from 12 per cent in November, to 9 per cent most recently. However, this change is nearly within the poll’s margin of error of +/- 2.51 per cent.
Leger, in collaboration with the Canadian press, conducted this Web survey with a representative sample of 1,523 Canadians over the age of 18, selected from LEO’s (Leger Opinion) representative panel. Data collection took place from March 26th, 2021 to March 28th, 2021. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size would have a margin of error ±2.51%, 19 times out of 20.
