CHRONIC AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
VACCINE UPTAKE AMONG FIRST NATIONS, INUIT, AND MÉTIS POPULATIONS Prepared by Regine Halseth
Indigenous 1 people in Canada generally have confidence in and accept vaccines as an important tool for disease prevention. Nevertheless, vaccine coverage across First Nations, Inuit, and Métis populations and regions is uneven due to structural, social, and interpersonal factors. This fact sheet aims to support the Public Health Agency of Canada in its efforts to update its immunization strategy. It provides an overview of the literature 2 on the extent of vaccine coverage across First Nations, Inuit, and Métis populations and the barriers to and facilitators of vaccination. This literature was focused on the past 15 years, up to April 2024, and was identified using academic
databases (Google Scholar, PubMed) and the Government of Canada statistical sources. It is important to note, however, that data are not always routinely collected for Indigenous populations and when they are, often Indigenous populations are aggregated collectively and the data do not reflect the priorities and needs of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis populations (Halseth, 2024). This highlights the need for more disaggregated data for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis populations specifically, and the need to honor Indigenous Peoples’ sovereign right to own, control, access, and protect data pertaining to them.
Vaccine coverage Routine childhood vaccinations The federal government has set a goal of achieving 95% full routine childhood vaccination coverage for all children in Canada aged two years (Indigenous Services Canada [ISC], 2019; Public Health Agency of Canada [PHAC], 2023). Current data show varying rates of vaccination among Indigenous children, with some showing similar rates to non-Indigenous children and others showing either lower or higher rates. Where inequalities in vaccine coverage have appeared
The term ‘Indigenous’ is used throughout this fact sheet to refer collectively to First Nations Peoples, Inuit, and Métis Peoples, as defined under Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution Act of 1982. When referring to a specific Indigenous group, the terms “First Nations”, “Inuit”, and “Métis” are used where relevant. 2 Search terms included “vaccine hesitancy” OR “vaccine confidence” OR “vaccination” OR “immunization” AND “Indigenous” OR “First Nations” OR “Inuit” OR “Métis” AND “Canada”. 1
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