Examining vaccine hesitancy among a diverse sample of Canadian adults

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the sociodemographic and individual-level factors associated with vaccine hesitancy in general, including political affiliation and beliefs in vaccine conspiracy theories, in a diverse group of Canadian adults within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. 641 responses were included in the analysis, with those self-identifying as Indigenous, Black Canadian, and low-income (household income <$40,000) being sampled to yield data from historically marginalized populations. Demographic variables and responses to questions on vaccine hesitancy, and beliefs in vaccine conspiracy theories were used to explore explanatory variables of vaccine hesitancy. General linear regression models were fit using the method of least squares via PROC GLM and used to examine sociodemographic and individual explanatory variables of vaccine hesitancy. Age, ethnicity, political affiliation, and beliefs in vaccine conspiracies were associated with vaccine hesitancy. Findings are discussed in relation to the critical role of distrust and misinformation in hesitancy. Our data provide insight into how Canadian provincial governments may promote uptake of vaccines in ways that target diverse groups that may differ from those developed in a pre-pandemic context.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cross-sectional study; Marginalized populations; Misinformation; Trust; Vaccine hesitancy.