24.99°C Vancouver

Aug 25, 2020 6:53 PM -

Stats Canada survey suggests some Canadians worried about safety of COVID-19 vaccine

Share On
stats-canada-survey-suggests-some-canadians-worried-about-safety-of-covid-19-vaccine
Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam responds to a question during a news conference Tuesday August 25, 2020 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

A new Statistics Canada survey suggests that while the vast majority of Canadians would get a COVID-19 vaccine if and when it becomes available, more than one in 10 likely would not.

The survey comes as governments around the world are rushing to develop a vaccine for the illness that has infected more than 23 million people around the world, including 126,000 in Canada.

Among the reasons respondents gave for not wanting the vaccine were concerns about its safety and potential side effects, while some said they did not trust vaccines in general.

Canada's chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says authorities need more information about those who are worried about or opposed to a vaccine to ensure they have the proper information about how vaccines are approved.

She says while efforts are being made to accelerate development of a vaccine, the federal government will not take shortcuts when it comes to ensuring the safety of a COVID-19 vaccine before it is approved and distributed.

Tam says she is concerned about misinformation spread online about vaccines, adding internet and social-media companies should have a responsibility to police their domains to make sure that doesn't happen.

Latest news

shots-fired-at-sidhu-travel-ltd-in-surrey
BCAug 25, 2025

Shots fired at Sidhu Travel Ltd. in Surrey

Police are investigating after shots were fired at the Sidhu Travel Ltd office in York Centre, Surrey, early Tuesday morning. The Connect FM team visited the scene shortly after noon and observed the entrance door shattered, with police markers placed near the storefront. At the scene, the glass of the entrance door to the Sidhu Travel office was seen shattered. Surrey Police confirmed that they had received information about an attempted break-in or mischief at the business at approximately 9.30 this morning. Police arrived at the scene and investigated, finding that shots had been fired a
leblanc-set-to-meet-lutnick-in-washington-after-ottawa-drops-some-tariffs
CanadaAug 25, 2025

LeBlanc set to meet Lutnick in Washington after Ottawa drops some tariffs

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is set to meet with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington this week after Ottawa announced it would be lifting some retaliatory tariffs. LeBlanc's office says he will travel to the United States capital on Tuesday. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced last Friday that Canada will drop some retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products to match American tariff exemptions for goods covered under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement on trade, called CUSMA. Canada's counter-tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles will remain. LeBlanc has sai
BCAug 25, 2025

North Vancouver RCMP is investigating an early morning shooting at a residence in North Vancouver

On August 24, 2025, police were alerted by a homeowner in the 900 block of Tollcross Road who reported hearing a loud bang and subsequently discovering bullet holes. North Vancouver RCMP frontline officers attended the scene and located evidence indicating that shots had been fired at the residence. Witnesses reported hearing shots fired at approximately 4:00 a.m. The residence was occupied at the time, fortunately, no one was injured.“This is an unsettling incident that understandably causes concern in the community,” said Corporal Mansoor Sahak, Media Relations Officer for the North Vanc
tall-timber-building-boosts-student-housing-at-bcits-burnaby-campus
BCAug 25, 2025

Tall Timber building boosts student housing at BCIT’s Burnaby campus

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) has officially opened its new Tall Timber student housing residence at the Burnaby campus, expanding affordable on-campus housing options for students. “We’re excited to bring more affordable student housing to BCIT’s Burnaby campus for the first time in 40 years,” said Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “This new facility will offer students more housing options steps away from their classes, reduce commute times and ease pressure on the local rental market. With better access to housing, student
BCAug 25, 2025

Langley RCMP: Catalytic converter thefts on the rise

The Langley RCMP is advising the public of a noticeable increase in catalytic converter thefts across the community in recent weeks. Catalytic converters are targeted because of the precious metals they contain and replacing a stolen one can be costly for vehicle owners. Thieves often target vehicles parked in driveways, unsecured lots, and on quiet streets, usually during the night or early morning hours, said Sergeant Zynal Sharoom of the Langley RCMP. Larger vehicles such as SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans are especially vulnerable due to their higher ground clearance. What you can do to prot

Related News