Portrait of French-speaking minorities with respect to vaccination against COVID-19

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination campaign highlighted the requirement to better understand the needs of different populations. French-speaking minorities (FSMs) have greater difficulty accessing quality care in French, and this problem was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The aim of this survey was to develop a descriptive portrait of the health needs of FSMs in relation to the COVID-19 vaccination campaign by describing their vaccination status, attitudes and beliefs compared with English-speaking majorities.

A survey was conducted among eligible participants using convenience sampling. Data measurement includes a descriptive statistical comparison using analysis of the variance, univariate logistic regressions and a two-proportions z-test.

Of the 1,505 respondents (554 FSMs vs. 951 English speakers), the FSMs have an average age of 51.4 years and 89.2% are Canadian citizens. Vaccination of children was preponderant among English speakers (74.2% vs. 86.3%), including against COVID-19 (58.6% vs. 73.9%). A higher proportion of FSMs had gotten vaccinated in order to obtain a vaccine passport (39% vs. 29.3%). Among the unvaccinated, FSMs were more likely to question the efficacy of vaccines (60% vs. 36.4%). Canadian citizen FSMs with higher education could be divided in relation to the vaccine regimen.

This survey revealed differences between FSMs and the English-speaking majority in their perceptions of vaccine efficacy, particularly vaccination of children, and a polarization of attitudes/beliefs among FSMs according to certain sociodemographic factors.