Influenza, COVID-19 awareness higher than RSV among Canadians, poll says

A recent Ipsos poll for Merck Canada reveals that Canadians are more familiar with influenza and COVID-19 than with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pneumococcal disease (PD). While 98% of Canadians are aware of influenza and 99% are aware of COVID-19, awareness of RSV sits at 71% and PD at 66%. The study suggests there may be room for improvement in educating Canadians about these lesser-known respiratory illnesses and their prevention options.

Out of 1,000 surveyed Canadian adults aged 25 to 75, nearly half (48%) reported not receiving any of the surveyed respiratory vaccines over the past year. Additionally, 64% were uncertain or unlikely to discuss respiratory illnesses and prevention strategies with a healthcare professional within the next six months. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), vaccine rates for COVID-19 and other respiratory infections are declining.

In 2024, nearly 60,000 Canadians were hospitalized due to vaccine-preventable respiratory illnesses, with influenza and RSV accounting for more than half of these hospitalizations, and COVID-19 contributing to over 40%.

Despite these concerning trends, 26% of Canadian adults received a COVID-19 vaccine in the fall of 2024. Seniors aged 65 and older had the highest vaccination rates at 54%, while seasonal influenza vaccination coverage was just 33%. The Ipsos study found that 28% of respondents experienced disruptions to personal or professional plans due to respiratory illness in the past year, resulting in 43% missing gatherings with family and friends and 37% using paid sick leave.

However, 36% of Canadians indicated they are likely to proactively discuss respiratory illness prevention with a healthcare professional in the coming months, presenting an opportunity to encourage more informed conversations ahead of the respiratory illness season.