CARP Survey Finds Seniors are Highly Unsatisfied with Inequitable Access to Life-Saving Vaccines

Posted on by Stella Song

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CARP Survey Finds Seniors are Highly Unsatisfied with Inequitable Access to Life-Saving Vaccines

 

October 20, 2025 – A new national survey by the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) reveals that while the vast majority of Canadian seniors trust the safety and efficacy of vaccines, too many face barriers to access and information, from cost and confusion to a lack of local options. 

 

More than 7,000 CARP members participated in the Vaccine Equity & Access Survey, which examined attitudes toward immunization, access to vaccination services, and the communication methods older adults trust most. The findings paint a stark picture of a health system that seniors see as fragmented and inconsistent, one that leaves essential protection against serious illness dependent on where you live and how much you can afford. 

 

Key Findings 

  • Vaccination confidence remains high, with over 82% of respondents saying vaccines are “very important” for individual and collective healthcare.
  • Older Canadians are highly vaccinated but not equally informed. Nearly 96% of respondents received at least one COVID-19 vaccine, and 88% received the flu vaccine. Yet nearly half the respondents (46%) reported feeling only “somewhat informed” about the latest vaccines and where to get them. 
  • COVID-19 is still a major concern. It ranked as the most concerning illness among respondents (more than flu, RSV, or shingles).
  • The severity of shingles is largely underestimated. 78% reported not being vaccinated against shingles, despite 70% reporting familiarity with the condition.
  • High-dose flu vaccine awareness is uneven. While 84% of respondents were aware of the high-dose flu shot recommended for those aged 65+, only 65% said their doctor or pharmacist had ever recommended it.
  • RSV vaccine awareness remains low. Fewer than a quarter (24%) of respondents had been vaccinated against respiratory syncytial virus in the last two years, in spite of the greater risk of illness to seniors. 
  • Barriers to access persist. Among those reporting difficulties, 39% cited problems booking appointments, and 31% said limited vaccination hours made it harder to stay up-to-date. Cost and eligibility confusion are also factors.
  • Pharmacists are key partners. An overwhelming 95% of respondents said they would likely get vaccinated at a pharmacy if no prescription were required, highlighting the importance of pharmacist-led immunization access.
  • Equity concerns across provinces. 96% believe the federal government should ensure provinces and territories provide access to all expert-recommended vaccines available to seniors. CARP members continue to call for consistent national standards for older adult immunization coverage. Alberta in particular, and to some extent Quebec, stand out as provinces where access has been reduced or made much less convenient. 

 

“The survey highlights what we hear every day from our members: they want clear and reliable information, consistent access, and vaccine equity across the country,” said Anthony Quinn, President of CARP.  “With flu, RSV, shingles, COVID-19, and pneumonia now more prevalent than ever, closing the access gap is a matter of health equity.”

CARP is calling for the federal and provincial governments to work together to ensure equitable access to all recommended adult vaccines across Canada, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. This includes making high-dose flu, COVID-19, shingles, pneumococcal, and RSV vaccines available through primary care providers and pharmacists. 

 

CARP calls on all levels of government with public health jurisdiction to: 

  • Expand funding to all expert-recommended vaccines for older adults.
  • Fund public campaigns to spread awareness about what vaccines are available and the eligibility criteria. 
  • Authorize pharmacists to administer all adult vaccines without requiring a doctor’s prescription. 

 

“Older Canadians understand that vaccines are essential to protecting their health and independence, but they are still running into barriers that shouldn’t exist,” said Quinn, who’ll be taking part in a National Vaccine Summit on Thursday, October 23rd, to bring CARP’s survey findings to the fore and discuss the organization’s advocacy around vaccines. “Governments must ensure that all older adults, no matter where they live, have easy and affordable access to the full range of recommended vaccines.”

 

CARP receives unrestricted educational grants to help support our advocacy from GSK, Moderna and Pfizer.

 

For more info on the survey and to book an interview with CARP President Anthony Quinn, contact media@carp.ca.