With the new school year kicking off, data from the Institut national de santé public du Québec (INSPQ) reveals that vaccination rates have held steady. Experts note that Quebec’s vaccination coverage remains solid, a testament to ongoing efforts.
According to the INSPQ’s Survey on Vaccination Coverage Among Quebec Children Aged 1, 2, and 7, the vaccination coverage for mandatory vaccines in 2023 stood at 78.3% among 7-year-olds, just a slight dip from 78.4% in 2021.
Despite a drop in vaccination rates for young children during the pandemic, 2023 saw no further decline. Complete vaccination coverage for 1-year-olds was at 89.6%, similar to 2021 (89.3%) and slightly lower than 2019 (92.3%).
Similarly, 2-year-olds showed a trend of stable rates, with full vaccination coverage at 85.6% in 2023, up from 84.2% in 2021 and down from 88.3% in 2019.
Dr. Nicholas Brousseau, a medical advisor at INSPQ, highlights Quebec’s resilience in maintaining stable vaccination rates following the challenges of the pandemic. He emphasizes the significant efforts put in to sustain this progress.
The Motivational Interviewing Program in Maternity Wards for Childhood Immunization (EMMIE), led by Dr. Arnaud Gagneur, has played a vital role in engaging parents positively towards vaccination. Launched in 2018, EMMIE’s success in reducing vaccine hesitancy has led to its expansion statewide.
While vaccination rates remain high among Quebec children, the INSPQ report indicates lower coverage among immigrant children and those born outside Quebec or Canada. Efforts are underway to ensure timely vaccination for all children.
Dr. Gagneur’s research sheds light on parental concerns, with fears of side effects and skepticism about vaccine necessity being key factors influencing vaccination decisions. The report also addresses the impact of the pandemic on vaccine hesitancy.
Vaccination remains voluntary in Quebec, with a focus on public awareness and education to uphold trust in the immunization system.
