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

A recent Ipsos poll commissioned by Merck Canada reveals Canadians have greater awareness of influenza and COVID-19 compared to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pneumococcal disease (PD). According to the study, nearly all Canadians (98%) are familiar with influenza and 99% recognize COVID-19, while awareness for RSV (71%) and PD (66%) is lower. The findings indicate potential for enhancing understanding of less-known respiratory illnesses and their prevention methods.

A sample of 1,000 Canadian adults aged 25 to 75 years old was surveyed. Roughly half (48%) of respondents reported receiving zero respiratory vaccines for influenza, COVID-19, RSV, or PD in the past year, and 64% were unsure or unlikely to discuss respiratory illnesses and prevention strategies with a healthcare professional within the next six months.

The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) data from April shows that while COVID-19 and other respiratory infections hospitalization rates are in the thousands, vaccine rates are declining. In 2024, nearly 60,000 people were hospitalized in "vaccine-preventable respiratory hospitalizations" across Canada, with influenza and RSV accounting for over half of the cases, and COVID-19 contributing to more than 40%.

Despite the low vaccine rates, 26% of Canadian adults received the COVID-19 vaccine in the fall of 2024. Seniors aged 65 and older had the highest coverage at 54%. For seasonal influenza, just 33% of adults in Canada were vaccinated during the 2024-2025 season, as per CIHI data. Despite the low vaccination rates, 28% of respondents reported experiencing disruptions to personal or professional plans due to respiratory illness in the past year, leading to 43% missing gatherings with family and/or friends and 37% using paid sick leave.

However, 36% of surveyed Canadians indicated they are likely to proactively discuss respiratory illness prevention with healthcare professionals in the upcoming months, presenting an opportunity to foster more informed conversations ahead of the respiratory illness season.