Years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on Canada’s health-care system remains significant. New figures from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) reveal that in 2024, hospitalizations for vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases reached 142 per 100,000 people—up from roughly 66 per 100,000 in 2019.
In total, nearly 60,000 Canadians were hospitalized for illnesses such as COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Together, flu and RSV accounted for more than half of these admissions, while COVID-19 alone was responsible for over 40 per cent.
Health experts say the numbers highlight a growing burden on hospitals, particularly as vaccination uptake declines. Only 26 per cent of Canadian adults received a COVID-19 vaccine in 2024, while flu vaccination rates among seniors hovered at just 63 per cent.
Older adults and young children remain the most vulnerable. Nearly half of all hospitalizations involved people aged 75 and older, while one in five cases were infants or young children—groups that rely heavily on immunization programs for protection.
Researchers point to “vaccine fatigue,” reduced perceived risk, and logistical barriers as key reasons for declining uptake. Many eligible individuals simply delay or forget to get booster shots, despite their proven ability to reduce severe illness and hospitalization.
The consequences extend beyond individual health. COVID-19 hospitalizations are particularly costly, averaging nearly $29,000 per patient and often requiring stays of more than three weeks—placing additional strain on already stretched health-care systems.
While improved testing and detection may partly explain the rise in reported cases, experts agree the trend reflects a real and ongoing challenge. They stress that increasing vaccination rates remains one of the most effective ways to reduce severe outcomes and ease pressure on hospitals.
As respiratory viruses continue to circulate, public health officials warn that the risk has not disappeared—and neither has the need for prevention.
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