A poll released by the Angus Reid Institute on Feb. 28, revealed opposition to mandatory childhood vaccination among Canadian parents has jumped to 38 per cent from 24 per cent since 2019.
The survey reported that in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, illnesses once controlled or eradicated are resurging.
This considerable attitude change regarding vaccines is leading to a worrying rise in Canada in diseases like rubella and measles, which were declared eliminated in the country in 1998.
According to the last report released by the Canadian government on March 15, there are currently 16 active cases of measles and two of congenital rubella syndrome/infection in the country.
After the suppression of some rights and freedoms in 2021 and 2022, the pressure on the population to get the COVID-19 vaccine is taking a toll on health right now.
Mandatory vaccination and the vaccine passports required to access restaurants, gyms and theatres made many people skeptical about vaccinations.
Although mandatory immunization targets safety in the community, when governments focus on measures considered repressive instead of education to meet a goal, they usually create a backlash, in this case, opposition to vaccination.
The refusal to take vaccines seems to be proportional to the pressure exerted by provincial governments.
Now, more people are questioning even longtime vaccines proven to be safe.
While vaccines were a necessary defence against COVID-19, Canada didn’t respect individual rights and freedoms.
The decision to inject whatever substance into your body is ultimately a right that belongs to individuals.
That does not have to mean you are against vaccines.
NBA star Kyrie Irving and the best tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic, led by example as they resisted getting vaccinated to preserve their freedom.
They always made clear they didn’t support any anti-vax movement and understood the benefits of the COVID-19 shot.
Canadian health authorities should have focused on education rather than forcing people to take the vaccine.
A global survey in Nature Medicine showed 87 per cent of Canadians in 2022, the most recent numbers available, in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.
However, the same survey reported support for COVID-19 vaccination mandates in June 2022 was tepid at best, about 59 per cent support among employers, 59.7 per cent among university students and 56.5 per cent for indoor activities. There was about 70 per cent support for mandates involving international travel.
Awareness of people about the ruinous effects of COVID-19 on physical and mental health and the economy, as well as free vaccines, were more than enough to encourage citizens to get the shot.
Instead, some people believe their rights were trampled to promote community safety, implementing dictatorial measures feeding distrust and conspiracy theories that led to skepticism regarding vaccines.
This action has resulted in the resurgence of eradicated illnesses.
Canada took one forced step forward and now goes back two steps.
Politicians and health authorities now have to regain the trust of their citizens if they hope to put these diseases back into history where they belong.