More Canadians favor mandatory childhood vaccinations compared to those opposed, however, this support is weaker in the province of Alberta according to a recent poll.

Majority of Canadians endorse compulsory vaccinations for children, according to a recent survey.

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2025 May 31 . 12:40 AM

2 min read

Majority of Canadians favor compulsory childhood immunizations, according to recent survey.

More Canadians favor mandatory childhood vaccinations compared to those opposed, however, this support is weaker in the province of Alberta according to a recent poll.

A substantial majority of Canadians favor mandatory childhood vaccinations, according to a newly-released poll by the Angus Reid Institute. The survey was conducted as measles outbreaks have affected various provinces, notably unvaccinated infants, children, and adolescents in these regions.

In the survey, which polled nearly 1,700 Canadians from May 20 to 23, 69% of respondents supported the mandate for proof of immunization as a prerequisite for daycare and school attendance. Although support was slightly lower in Alberta, at 60%, it still represented a higher percentage than the 48% of Albertans who supported the mandate last year.

Recently, Ontario reported over 1,700 measles cases since the outbreak began in October, while Alberta confirmed 628 cases as of Wednesday. In light of these figures, the poll's findings suggest a growing consensus among Canadians for stronger measures to combat contagious diseases.

It is worth noting that online surveys, such as the one conducted by the Angus Reid Institute, do not employ random sampling methods and thus cannot assign a margin of error, according to the Canadian Research Insights Council.

When asked about their trust in their provincial government's response to the measles outbreak, 37% of Albertans indicated they had no confidence, with similar numbers reported in Saskatchewan (30%) and Ontario (27%).

A study published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health in October 2024 revealed that approximately 76% of seven-year-olds were vaccinated against measles in 2023, marking a decrease from over 86% in 2019. This data underscores the potential consequences of lax vaccination policies and the importance of public support for mandatory vaccinations.

This report, provided by The Canadian Press, was initially published on May 29, 2025. The Canadian Press's health coverage benefits from a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.

Hannah Alberga, The Canadian Press.

Despite a study in the Canadian Journal of Public Health showing a decrease in vaccination rates of seven-year-olds against measles from 86% in 2019 to approximately 76% in 2023, the poll findings suggest a growing consensus among Canadians for stronger measures in health-and-wellness, such as mandatory vaccinations.
In light of the measles outbreak affecting various provinces, resulting in over 1,700 cases in Ontario alone and 628 cases in Alberta as of Wednesday, the poll's findings indicate a shift towards support for science-based health practices among a substantial majority of Canadians.