Fact Check: Tam hopes Canadians remember the successes, including the high percentage of people who rolled up their sleeves to be vaccinated.

Fact Check: "Tam hopes Canadians remember the successes, including the high percentage of people who rolled up their sleeves to be vaccinated."

What We Know

The claim references the high percentage of Canadians who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. As of March 2023, approximately 83% of the Canadian population had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with around 80.7% being fully vaccinated (source). This vaccination effort is noted as the largest immunization campaign in Canadian history, beginning on December 14, 2020 (source). Furthermore, the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Dr. Theresa Tam, has highlighted the importance of vaccination in reducing vaccine-preventable diseases in Canada over the past century (source).

Analysis

While the claim emphasizes the successes of the vaccination campaign in Canada, it is essential to consider the broader context of vaccination rates and public health outcomes. The high vaccination rates are indeed a significant achievement; however, there are ongoing challenges. For instance, recent reports indicate a concerning rise in measles cases in Quebec, attributed to declining vaccination rates for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine (source).

Moreover, while the overall COVID-19 vaccination rates are high, there are disparities in vaccination coverage among different demographics, which could impact public health outcomes. For example, a study indicated a decrease in DTaP and MMR vaccination coverage among 7-year-olds, suggesting that while COVID-19 vaccination efforts were robust, routine childhood vaccinations may not have seen the same level of success (source).

The sources used in this analysis vary in reliability. The data from Health Canada and the Chief Public Health Officer's reports are credible and authoritative, given their governmental backing. In contrast, media reports, while informative, may reflect specific instances and could be influenced by sensationalism or bias.

Conclusion

Needs Research: The claim about the high percentage of Canadians vaccinated is substantiated by data, but it overlooks the complexities and challenges within the broader vaccination landscape, including disparities and the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. Further research is necessary to fully understand the implications of these vaccination rates on public health and to address the ongoing challenges in maintaining high vaccination coverage across all vaccine types.

Sources

1. Childhood vaccination trends during 2019 to 2022 in ...
2. COVID-19 vaccination in Canada
3. Realizing the Future of Vaccination for Public Health
4. Population share COVID vaccine status Canada 2023
5. VACCINATION
6. Canada sees increase in measles cases in Quebec and ...
7. Results from the STARVAX surveillance system
8. Canadians' willingness to get a COVID-19 vaccine