- One-third of households have had someone tested for the virus since February.
- Likelihood of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 remains high, but a significant minority does not intend to get inoculated.
HALIFAX, December 16th, 2020
As the second wave of COVID-19 infects the country, it is clear that Atlantic Canadians remain concerned that either they or someone in their immediate family will contract the virus, with results showing little change since we last asked the question in April. Indeed, eight-in-ten across the region fear they will become infected (79%; down 2 points from April), while a slightly greater proportion are concerned that someone in their immediate family will contract the virus (84%; down 5 points from April). Concern is greatest in Nova Scotia compared with the other three provinces. Compared with their younger counterparts, Boomers remain more highly concerned about COVID-19.
Testing has increased significantly since April when only a handful of the population had had someone in their household tested for the virus. Now, one-third of households have had a member tested. Of note, residents aged 18 – 34 are more likely to have had testing done in their household compared with older residents.
Turning to vaccinations, there is a high degree of correlation between those who are concerned about contracting the virus, and those who intend to get a vaccination, once available. The majority of Atlantic Canadians intend to get inoculated, once the vaccine is available (81%; up 2 points from September). Of note, since the first vaccine was approved by Health Canada, there has been an increase in the number who say they will ‘definitely’ get the vaccine (61%; up 8 points from September). Similar to results from earlier in the Autumn, there is somewhat lower interest in becoming vaccinated among New Brunswick residents, compared with those in other provinces. Otherwise, likelihood of getting vaccinated is consistent across demographics.
Consistent with previous findings, approximately one in ten residents say they will either probably not or definitely not get the vaccine (13%; up 2 points from September). Across the region, results on this front are consistent, with the exception of New Brunswick, where two-in-ten say they will likely not get the vaccine (19%; up 2 points).
This survey was conducted from November 30 – December 7, 2020 with 2,742 Atlantic Canadians from Narrative Research’s online panel, East Coast Voice. As a non-probability sample (i.e. a panel sample where residents have joined a panel to share their opinions), and in accordance with CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards, a margin of error is not applied.
Narrative Research, www.narrativeresearch.ca, is one of Canada’s leading public opinion and market research companies. As a non-partisan, 100% Canadian-owned research company, Narrative Research is dedicated to providing clients with state-of-the-art research and strategic consulting services. Visit EastCoastVoice.ca to join Atlantic Canada’s largest panel, and share your opinions.
For more information, please contact:
Margaret Brigley, CEO at 902-493-3830 (W); 902.222.7066 (M), mbrigley@narrativeresearch.ca
Margaret Chapman, COO & Partner: 902.493-3834 (W); 902.222.4048 (M), mchapman@narrativeresearch.ca
