The intent was to understand which individuals and groups have lower vaccine confidence, and why, in order to support a tailored and informed response.

Fields conducted an independent survey that collected data from almost 30,000 Ontarians over a period of seven months (December 2020 – June 2021). While vaccine confidence levels remained steadily between 72% and 76%, the data revealed that individuals with lower vaccine confidence tend to come from households with a lower reported income, have individual members who are unable to work from home, and self-identify as racialized (i.e., a race other than white European). Lower vaccine confidence has been associated with a complex set of resulting factors that include health inequities, systemic barriers to accessing health care, and a general mistrust in government and health care institutions. 

Read the full report here.

Our report was also picked up this weekend by The Canadian Press and CBC. You can access the article here.

This report is part of a series we are conducting in order to track public attitudes toward the pandemic and public health measures. For additional reports in this series, please check out our recent post on Public Health Guideline Uptake in Ontario. 

You can also watch our What the Numbers Say video series, the Institute's public town hall events that gather leading epidemiologists, math modellers and clinicians to provide the latest data in the ongoing fight against SARS-CoV-2.

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