Vaccine uptake in Canadian adults: Highlights from the 2016 adult National Immunization Coverage Survey (aNICS)

What is the adult National Immunization Coverage Survey (aNICS)?

aNICS is a survey conducted by the Environics Research Group on behalf of the Public Health Agency of Canada. It measures the percentage of Canadian adults that have received the recommended vaccines for adults.

Why conduct this survey?

Results from national immunization coverage surveys provide information about how well Canadians are protected against vaccine preventable diseases as well as what they know and think about vaccines.

Survey results are used to:

Key Results:

What did the 2016 aNICS results tell us regarding the percentage of Canadians vaccinated against tetanus and pertussis?

It is important for adults to keep their tetanus immunization up-to-date. They should have a booster shot every 10 years for continuing protection.

All adults should receive one booster dose for pertussis vaccine (Tdap vaccine) if they were not previously immunized in adulthood. It is particularly important for adults having regular contact with an infant to be immunized and to receive a dose of Tdap vaccine at least two weeks before being in contact with a baby.

Did Canada meet its national vaccination coverage goals?

National vaccination coverage goals to be achieved by 2025 apply to adult vaccines as follows:

Results of aNICS 2016 indicate that national vaccination goals were not achieved.

For the seasonal influenza vaccine, 41% of adults 18-64 years of age with a chronic medical condition, and 65% of adults 65 years of age and older reported being vaccinated [Figure 1].

figure 1

Figure 1 - Text Description
Reported Influenza Vaccine Coverage, 2004-2016, Seniors (65+)
N/A Survey year
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016
Vaccine Coverage (%) 71 68 57 66 66 65
Reported Influenza Vaccine Coverage, 2004-2016, Age 18-64 with a high risk condition
N/A Survey year
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016
Vaccine Coverage (%) 41 40 36 41 44 41

For the pneumococcal vaccine, 42% of adults 65 years of age and older reported being vaccinated [Figure 2].

Figure 2

Figure 2 - Text Description
Reported Pneumococcal Vaccine Coverage, 2004-2016, Seniors (65+)
N/A Survey year
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016
Vaccine Coverage (%) 40 36 41 40 37 42

Do Canadians know enough about vaccines?

Did you know?

The full report is available through the Government of Canada Publications website.For more information about the adult National Immunization Coverage Survey (aNICS), or to obtain the report in an alternative format, please contact us at: circ-crcv@phac-aspc.gc.ca.

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