Hospitalizations from vaccine-preventable respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, influenza and RSV have more than doubled in Canada compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to new data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).
The report shows there were 142 hospitalizations per 100,000 people in 2024, up sharply from about 66 per 100,000 in 2019, amounting to nearly 60,000 hospital admissions nationwide.
Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) accounted for more than half of those cases, while COVID-19 alone contributed over 40 per cent, underscoring the continued strain on the health-care system years after the pandemic began.
Health experts say the increase comes alongside declining vaccination rates. Federal data indicates only 26 per cent of Canadian adults received a COVID-19 vaccine in 2024, while uptake for flu shots among seniors remains just above 60 per cent.
High-risk populations are disproportionately affected. Infants and young children made up about one-fifth of hospitalizations, while nearly half involved adults aged 75 and older.
Experts attribute falling vaccination rates in part to “vaccine fatigue,” as well as logistical barriers such as access to clinics and missed booster appointments. They warn that lower immunization coverage represents a missed opportunity to prevent severe illness and reduce pressure on hospitals.
The report also highlights the financial and systemic burden of these hospitalizations. The average COVID-19 hospital stay costs nearly $29,000 and lasts about 23 days — significantly higher than influenza-related admissions.
Health officials stress that respiratory viruses remain a persistent threat and are urging Canadians, particularly vulnerable groups, to stay up to date on vaccinations to reduce the risk of severe outcomes.
