Survey finds vaccination reluctance persists during flu season

Supplies sit on a table as a pharmacist prepares to administer vaccines for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap), right, and seasonal flu to a patient, at a CVS pharmacy, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Miami. (Rebecca Blackwell/The Associated Press)

With flu season in full swing, a survey conducted by Leger’s health research division shows that 28 per cent of Canadians are reluctant to get vaccinated against influenza.

Three main sources of concern were identified by the 300 health professionals consulted by the polling firm.

Leger Health care vice-president Melicent Lavers-Sailly said in an interview that the main fears are related to safety and side effects, followed by misinformation from influencers on social media and mistrust of the government and public health authorities.

The survey also indicates that only 40 per cent of health-care professionals feel confident in discussing vaccine hesitancy with their patients.

The survey was conducted from Nov. 3 to 7, 2025, among 300 health-care professionals, equally divided between general practitioners, nurses and pharmacists, using a QuickPulse survey by Leger Healthcare.

Based on their responses and comments, an Omnibus survey was then conducted from Nov. 14 to 17 among 1,521 Canadians through the Léo panel.

According to Leger, a margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Nov. 21, 2025.