Majority of Manitobans oppose charging for COVID vaccines: poll

A jar of empty COVID-19 vaccine vials is shown at a pharmacy in Toronto on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

The majority of Manitobans would be against a policy to charge most people for COVID-19 vaccines, according to new data.

Results from an Angus Reid Institute poll suggest that 69 per cent of Manitobans would oppose the policy, with 24 per cent in favour and seven per cent undecided.

The online poll, conducted by the non-profit research firm between August and September, comes after a June announcement by the Alberta government that most residents of that province will soon be responsible for paying for COVID-19 vaccines.

The poll suggests that 36 per cent of Albertans support the move to charge for the vaccines—the highest approval for the policy among surveyed provinces.

In January, the federal government announced that purchasing COVID-19 vaccines will transition this year from the federal government to the provinces and territories. Between December 2020 and May 2022 alone, the federal government spent approximately $5 billion for COVID-19 vaccines.

Quebec also ended free COVID-19 vaccines for most residents this fall, apart from health-care workers or those in high-risk groups.

Manitoba ties Quebec and the Canadian value with the highest percentage of respondents who oppose the policy. Nova Scotia sports the highest opposition to the policy—78 per cent, according to the data.

A Manitoba government spokesperson tells CTV News there are currently no plans to change its policy, which is to fully cover COVID-19 vaccines for anyone six months and older.

Most people in Alberta will be charged $100 for the vaccine, while most residents in Quebec will have to pay up to $180.

The province said details on vaccine procurement expenditures are not available due to contractual details involving suppliers but said that Manitoba has an “ample supply” of COVID-19 vaccines to meet the demand.

Over 4,330 respondents across Canada took part in the poll, with 334 respondents in Manitoba.

Full results from the poll can be accessed online.