Vaccine concerns spread

About 60% of Canucks worried about side-effects: Poll

About 60% of Canadians are worried about the side-effects of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to an Angus Reid Institute poll.

The survey also found 80% of Canadians would get vaccinated to protect their family, while half of Canadians have no reservations and are ready to get the vaccine as soon as it becomes available.

However, 32% said they would likely wait a while and about 76% of that group indicated they’re worried about side-effects.

The poll also said 75% of Canadians think a vaccine should be mandatory in longterm care homes and for health-care workers. When it comes to schools, 63% of respondents believe the shot should be mandatory.

Most Canadians — 77% of urbanites and 59% of rural residents — also think life won’t go back to normal in their community until people are vaccinated.

Conducted July 23 and 24, the poll was an online survey of a representative randomized sample of 1,519 Canadian adults who were members of Angus Reid Forum. A probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of 2.5%, 19 times out of 20.