Childhood vaccination rates for most vaccines have been on the decline since the pandemic, according to a recent analysis of provincial data by CBC News. This trend has raised concerns among public health officials regarding increased susceptibility to infectious diseases.
Dr. Jia Hu, the interim medical director of immunization programs at the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, highlighted that the drop in vaccination rates is attributed to COVID-19 disruptions and a decrease in public trust in vaccines. These factors have collectively heightened the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Analysis conducted by CBC revealed that childhood immunization rates have notably decreased in the Interior and Northern regions compared to Vancouver and Victoria over a 10-year period from 2015 to 2024. The drop in measles vaccination rates, in particular, has been significant.
Following a measles outbreak in 2024 that affected over 6,000 individuals, Canada lost its measles-free status. In British Columbia, the outbreak primarily impacted the province’s northeast region, resulting in more than 400 cases. Measles vaccination rates at ages two, seven, and Grade 6 experienced declines in these areas.
Experts suggest that the decline in childhood immunization coverage coincided with the onset of the pandemic. Dr. Bernie Garrett, an emeritus professor at the UBC School of Nursing, emphasized the growing mistrust in government, pharmaceutical companies, and public health institutions, particularly in rural communities, as a contributing factor to vaccine hesitancy.
A recent poll conducted by Leger indicated a 34 to 35 percent increase in vaccine hesitancy among Canadians over the past five years. Safety concerns, misinformation from social media influencers, and lack of trust in government were cited as key reasons for the decline in immunization rates.
Dr. Hu expressed concern about conflicting messaging on vaccine efficacy, particularly regarding the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The spread of misinformation has led to confusion among the public and healthcare providers, impacting vaccination coverage rates.
In some regions of British Columbia, the percentage of parents refusing all vaccines for their two- and seven-year-olds was one percent in 2024. Additionally, a considerable number of two-year-olds had no recorded immunizations, with rates increasing from seven percent in 2015 to 11 percent in 2024 provincially.
Addressing these challenges, Dr. Monika Naus, a professor at UBC’s School of Population and Public Health, suggested improving the integration of patients’ electronic health records with the immunization registry to ensure accurate data. Building trust within communities and leveraging trusted messengers were highlighted as crucial strategies to enhance vaccination rates.
