Most support mandatory school vaccinations: poll
Most Atlantic Canadians support mandatory vaccinations for school-aged children, according to a poll released Tuesday.
Narrative Research polled a random sample of 1,500 adults from Oct. 31 to Nov. 22. Nine out of 10 respondents either completely or mostly support the idea of mandatory school vaccinations.
The overall results are accurate to within plus or minus 2.5 per cent 95 out of 100 times, the polling firm said in a news release.
Fewer than one in 10 residents oppose the idea and three per cent do not know or couldn't provide an answer.
Ontario and New Brunswick are the only provinces that require vaccinations for schoolaged children.
“The growing number of measles cases across Canada this year reignited public discussion about mandatory vaccinations for school-aged children.” said Margaret Brigley, CEO of Narrative Research, in the release.
“Across Atlantic Canada, there are multiple organizations challenging the suggestion that school-aged children be vaccinated before they can attend school, citing in particular the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Those groups clearly represent a vocal minority.”
The poll found support for mandatory vaccinations is generally consistent across the Atlantic provinces, with "complete support" increasing slightly with age. Females are more likely than males to express complete support (69 per cent versus 61 per cent) for mandatory vaccinations.
In Nova Scotia, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston has called for mandatory vaccination legislation.
In an email Tuesday, Health Department spokeswoman Heather Fairbairn said public health officials are not recommending mandatory vaccinations "due to the complex ethical, legal and logistical issues involved. Our focus is on continuing to ensure access through primary care or public health and provide evidence-based information to those who may be hesitant about the benefits for themselves and their fellow citizens."
Fairbairn said the province tracks immunizations administered by public health at Grade 7 school clinics and it's also working towards an immunization registry to further improve its tracking.