Indigenous Canadians and minorities were more likely to refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19, a new Angus Reid poll reveals.
According to the survey, 13% of Indigenous Canadians said that they have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and do not plan to receive their shot. The rate was more than twice as much as the 6% of white Canadians who reported the same.
Meanwhile, 8% of Canadians who identified as visible minorities also said they refuse to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
“Indigenous Canadians are twice as likely as those who don’t identify as visible minorities to have refused to get vaccinated,” pollsters wrote.
With regard to why Canadians are choosing to remain unvaccinated, many cite ongoing health concerns and personal freedom as priorities.
“Data here suggests there remains a lack of confidence in the safety of the vaccine with three in five, 58%, saying they have ongoing health concerns when it comes to vaccination,” wrote researchers.
“An equal number say one of the main reasons they are not vaccinated is a question of personal freedom. To the extent this is a prioritization of personal freedom over a sense of collective responsibility, or reaction to perceived government over-reach, is unclear.”
The findings by Angus Reid seem to corroborate government data on vaccination rates. Statistics Canada data shows that Indigenous and black Canadians were the least likely to take a COVID-19 vaccine.
“Certain sub-groups in Canada are more likely to report COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. These include black Canadians, Indigenous peoples, newcomers, and younger adults, among others,” wrote Statistics Canada.
Despite these statistics, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau omitted to mention the impacts on First Nations and black Canadians when announcing his federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
