Ottawa – As part of the National Immunization Strategy objectives, vaccination coverage goals and vaccine preventable disease reduction targets were set based on international standards and best practices. The goals and targets are consistent with Canada’s commitment to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) disease elimination targets and Global Vaccine Action Plan, while reflecting the Canadian context.
Vaccination coverage goals were developed for infant, childhood, adolescent and adult vaccines that are publicly funded in all provinces and territories (PT). Progress toward the national vaccination coverage goals will be reported based on the data collected using national coverage surveys, such as the childhood National Immunization Coverage Survey (cNICS), the adult National Immunization Coverage Survey (aNICS) and the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Coverage Survey. Vaccine coverage monitoring at the national level takes into account variations in PT vaccination programs.
Infants and Children
To ensure children are protected through routine vaccination, a high vaccination coverage goal of 95% has been established for all childhood vaccines by two and seven years of age.
This level of vaccination coverage is based on the level of population protection required for measles, the most easily-spread vaccine preventable disease.
Achieve 95% vaccination for the first three doses of the pertussis vaccine for infants
The majority of hospitalizations due to pertussis occur in infants under one year of age. The first three doses of the vaccine are highly effective in preventing death. Specific vaccination goals have been set for infants under one year of age.
Adolescents
The vaccine coverage goal of 90% for all adolescent vaccines is based on disease reduction targets, program impact, disease characteristics, achievability, and jurisdictional variation in vaccination programs as well as quality and effectiveness of the vaccine.
Adults
The following vaccination coverage goals for adults were established because of the importance of protecting Canadians at high risk for infection and medical complications.
Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Coverage Goals
A vaccination coverage goal of 80% with the seasonal influenza vaccine has been established based on the importance of protecting Canadians at high risk for influenza-related complications or hospitalizations. This goal also reflects the importance of the influenza vaccine as a component of comprehensive infection control practices to protect healthcare professionals and patients from getting influenza.