More than half of Canadians uncomfortable with AstraZeneca shot, poll suggests
Posted April 12, 2021 7:19 am.
Last Updated April 12, 2021 11:09 am.
TORONTO (680 NEWS) – Less than half of Canadians are willing to roll up their sleeves for the AstraZeneca vaccine, according to a new poll.
About 41 per cent of respondents to the Angus Reid survey said they would accept the shot, while 23 per cent said they would reject a dose from AstraZeneca if it was being offered to them.
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The researchers say the level of discomfort was highest among women over the age of 34, with two in five saying they are “extremely uncomfortable” with the idea of receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The findings come after weeks of questions, blood clot concerns and changing guidance over who can receive AstraZeneca.
Despite this, the desire to be vaccinated continues to rise with the poll finding 69 per cent of respondents have either had one dose or would like to be vaccinated as soon as possible.
To date, about 18 per cent of Canadians have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The poll suggests the response to the vaccine has been overwhelmingly positive.
Nearly 90 per cent of respondents say that getting vaccinated was a very good experience while 11 per cent say it was just okay.
The drugmaker recently updated the efficacy data for its vaccine, saying the shot is 76 per cent effective against mild symptoms of the virus and 100 per cent effective at preventing severe disease.
The poll as the Public Health Agency of Canada expects to receive one million vaccine doses, primarily from Pfizer, this week.
