Vaccine Coverage in Canadian Children: Results from the 2017 Childhood National Immunization Coverage Survey (cNICS)

Background

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) routinely monitors childhood vaccination coverage in Canada through the childhood National Immunization Coverage Survey (cNICS). Since 1994, cNICS has been conducted approximately every two years to estimate national uptake for all publicly funded routine childhood vaccinations that are recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).1 Statistics Canada has conducted cNICS on behalf of PHAC since 2011. The survey also assesses knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (KAB) among parents to better understand factors influencing decisions on vaccination for their children; however, these KAB results will be published in a separate report.

As part of the National Immunization Strategy objectives for 2016–2021, national vaccination coverage goals were developed in 2017 (to be achieved by 2025) for vaccines that are publicly funded in all provinces and territories.2 While reflecting the Canadian context, the goals and targets are consistent with Canada’s commitment to the World Health Organization (WHO) disease elimination targets and the Global Vaccine Action Plan.3 This includes a vaccination coverage goal of 95% coverage for childhood vaccines (assessed at ages two and seven years) and 90% coverage for adolescent vaccines (assessed at age seventeen years).

Data from cNICS is used to report Canada’s progress towards achieving the national vaccination coverage goals and to meet its international reporting obligations to the WHO and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).