Quebec childhood vaccination rates remain stable

Data from the Institut national de santé publique du Québec indicates that childhood vaccination rates have remained stable in the province despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While some regions globally experienced declines in coverage following the pandemic, Quebec has maintained relatively consistent levels through targeted public health efforts.

According to the institute’s survey, the coverage rate for vaccines required at the start of the school year was 78.3% among seven-year-olds in 2023, nearly identical to the 78.4% recorded in 2021. For one-year-olds, age-appropriate vaccination coverage was 89.6% in 2023, compared to 89.3% in 2021. For two-year-olds, the rate was 85.6% in 2023, up from 84.2% in 2021.

Experts credit these stable rates to post-pandemic initiatives and public awareness programs. Because vaccination is not mandatory in Quebec, the government relies on information and trust-building measures, such as programs that connect new parents with trained counselors, to maintain high immunization levels.