Making Vaccines Free: A Path to Healthier Canadians

A proposal to provide free vaccinations for all Canadians could significantly reduce health-care costs and hospitalizations, particularly among seniors. As discussions about health-care reform gain momentum, a recent personal experience highlights the financial barriers some face regarding necessary vaccinations.

During a visit to a local pharmacy in British Columbia, I received my flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at no charge, as is standard for all residents in the province. However, when I inquired about the cost of the vaccination for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), I learned it would set me back approximately $300. Additionally, the shingles vaccine, recommended for adults over 50, costs around $160 per dose. Faced with these expenses, I found myself questioning why any senior should have to pay for vaccines that could prevent severe health complications.

Health-care spending in British Columbia illustrates a concerning disparity. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), the province spent an average of $9,673 per capita on health care in 2024. This spending was not evenly distributed, with $16,583 allocated for infants under one year, while seniors received approximately $14,042 each. The statistics reveal that seniors accounted for about 45 to 50 percent of health-care expenditures.

The B.C. Office of the Seniors Advocate reported that in 2023, seniors made up a quarter of all emergency visits and nearly half of all hospitalizations. On average, seniors spent 8.6 days in hospital, significantly longer than younger patients. The cost of these hospital stays is considerable; the average cost for a typical hospital stay in B.C. for the 2022-23 reporting period was $8,321, translating to daily costs of $1,200 to $1,300.

Preventative measures such as vaccinations could alleviate some of this financial burden. It is estimated that approximately 130,000 Canadians contract shingles annually, with B.C. accounting for 13,000 to 15,000 cases. While most people with shingles do not require hospitalization, complications can arise, leading to additional health care costs. The “Shingles Matters: Driving Provincial Policy in Canada” brief indicates that around 1,000 patients are hospitalized each year due to shingles complications in B.C.

Similarly, RSV leads to 900 to 1,200 hospitalizations annually among seniors in the province. The Canadian Public Health Association estimates that treating these cases can cost around $5,000 for a hospital stay lasting five to six days. For severe cases requiring intensive care, costs can escalate to $20,000, with fatality rates averaging between 5 and 10 percent.

Vaccines such as Arexvy have demonstrated impressive efficacy rates, with 82.6 percent effectiveness against RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease and 94.6 percent against severe cases. Yet, despite their effectiveness, only 12 to 15 percent of seniors in B.C. have been vaccinated against RSV, primarily due to cost barriers. The two-dose Shingrix vaccine costs about $300, with only one in three seniors having received it. In contrast, provinces such as Ontario and Prince Edward Island offer publicly funded Shingrix vaccinations, resulting in uptake rates of between 47 and 57 percent.

Higher vaccination rates would not only improve individual health outcomes but also reduce overall health-care costs. As noted in a recent editorial in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, adult vaccination should be viewed as a critical component of public health policy. The editorial emphasized that expanding adult vaccination can lead to significant cost savings by preventing diseases that often lead to hospitalizations and expensive treatments.

The potential benefits of making all vaccines free and widely available are profound. If implemented, such a program could lead to healthier, more independent lives for seniors and a decrease in the demand for emergency care and hospitalizations. The case for universal free vaccination aligns with the fundamental principle of equitable access to health care, akin to the provision of safe drinking water.

By prioritizing preventative health measures, Canada could ensure a healthier future for all citizens, particularly its aging population. The shift towards free vaccinations could transform the landscape of public health, fostering a society where financial barriers do not impede access to essential health care services.