Influenza Vaccination Data

Influenza Vaccinations

Influenza, commonly known as the "flu", is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. Influenza can easily spread from person to person and influenza virus circulation follows a seasonal pattern with most infections reported between fall and spring. Annual influenza immunization is the most effective way to protect against influenza. Each fall, Ontario’s Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) offers vaccination against seasonal influenza to all individuals 6 months of age and older who live, work, or go to school in Ontario. [9]

Ottawa residents can receive a seasonal influenza immunization from their health care provider, a pharmacist, or at an Ottawa Public Health clinic. While the UIIP offers immunization to all Ontarians, there are groups for which influenza immunization is prioritized, who are at high risk of complications or who those who are capable to transmitting influenza to those at high risk for complications. These include, for example, children under five years of age, older adults over 65 years of age, those with chronic conditions and health care workers. [9]

Influenza Immunization Data

In 2019, 37% of Ottawa children and youth had received an influenza immunization in the past 12 months. Young children under age 5 were more likely to have received an influenza vaccine (49%) compared to older children aged 5-11 years (36%) and youth aged 12-17 years (31%) [11]
About half (51%) of Ottawa residents aged 18 years and older reported receiving an influenza immunization during the 2023/24 influenza season, similar to 2022/23 (50%) and 2020/21 (50%). [11]
Immunization rates are higher among older adults. During the 2023/24 influenza season, 42% of residents aged 18 to 64 years reported receiving an influenza immunization while 86% of residents 65 years of age and older received an influenza immunization (Figure 1). [11]
In 2023/24, over half (61%) of residents said they got their influenza immunization at a pharmacy and 24% at a doctor’s office. The proportion of residents receiving their influenza immunization from a pharmacy has increased over recent year (2016/17: 44%; 2019/20: 30%; 2020/21: 49%, 2022/23: 56%). [11]

Figure 1. Percentage of Ottawa adults reporting influenza immunization by age group and influenza season, 2013/14 to 2023/24

Data Notes and Source for Figure 1

Notes:

The Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS) is an ongoing random-digit dialed telephone (landline and cell) population health survey of Ottawa adults aged 18 years and older.
RRFSS data was not collected in 2021-2022
Error bars represent 95% confidence intervals

Source:

Ottawa Public Health. Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2013-2024.

Data Table for Figure 1

Table 1. Percentage of Ottawa adults reporting influenza immunization by age group and influenza season, 2013/14- 2023/24

Influenza Season	Age 18 to 64 Years (%)	Age 18 to 64 Years (95% Confidence Intervals)	Age 65+ Years (%)	Age 65+ Years (95% Confidence Intervals)
2013/14	45.8	38.8-52.8	86	78.5-93.4
2014/15	38.6	32.2-45.1	79.9	72.8-87.0
2015/16	36.6	30.0-43.1	79.6	71.7-87.6
2016/17	43.7	36.9-50.4	83.7	75.7-91.7
2017/18	33.5	27.0-40.0	77.9	70.0-85.8
2018/19	45.8	39.0-52.6	85.8	78.4-91.0
2019/20	43.0	33.4-53.3	76.1	63.1-85.6
2020/21	43.2	37.8-48.9	73.9	65.3-81.0
2022/23	42.7	34.6-51.1	78.8	70.2-85.5
2023/24	42.2	35.0-49.7	85.9	78.7-91.0