The purpose of this health indicator report is to provide information on attitudes and beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines, based on the responses of Halton adults aged 18 and over who participated in the 2020 COVID-19 Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) survey. Data for this report were collected during October and November of 2020, before COVID-19 vaccines became available to Halton residents. More recent data show that COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Canada has increased since late 2020.
Key Findings:
In October and November of 2020:
- 73% of Halton respondents indicated that they planned to get a COVID-19 vaccine when one became available. The most common reasons given included a desire to protect one’s self, family, friends and community, and wanting life to go back to normal.
- 15% of Halton respondents indicated that they did not plan to get a COVID-19 vaccine. The most common reasons given were concerns about side effects and concerns that the vaccine was rushed or not thoroughly tested.
- 12% of Halton respondents indicated that they did not know whether they planned to receive a COVID-19 vaccine when one became available.
- Respondents aged 65 and older were most likely to say they definitely planned to get a COVID-19 vaccine.