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More Canadians having the flu shot

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Despite increases in influenza vaccination rates across the country, many Canadians considered high-risk for serious complications from influenza infection—specifically, younger people with chronic health conditions and healthy seniors—are still not being vaccinated.

Nationally, influenza vaccination rates nearly doubled from 1996/1997 to 2000/2001, rising from 15% to 27%. After plateauing from 2000/2001 to 2003, the rates rose again, to 34% in 2005. Why this pattern occurred is a matter of speculation. The past decade has seen outbreaks of new respiratory diseases. As well, public health officials have stepped up planning for an influenza pandemic. This has included educating the public about the importance of an annual vaccination.

Ontario, which introduced free flu shots for all residents aged six months and older in 2000, led the provinces:vaccination rates rose from 18% in 1996/1997 to 42% in 2005.

Nunavut had the highest vaccination rates among seniors and healthy young people, even before introducing universal immunization. Newfoundland and Labrador had the lowest rates, though they doubled from 11% in 1996/1997 to 22% in 2005. And Nova Scotia, even without a universal vaccination program, has matched Ontario’s vaccination rates among high-risk groups.

In 2005, vaccination rates among individuals aged 65 and older compared favourably with the 70% target set in 1993. However, the new 80% target set in 2005 was reached only by seniors aged 75 and older with chronic conditions.

Vaccination rates are much lower among people younger than 65 with chronic conditions. Just 56% of individuals aged 50 to 64 with chronic conditions were vaccinated in 2005, while only one-third of those younger than 50 with chronic conditions were vaccinated.