Hospital admission rates for vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases more than doubled in 2024-2025 compared with prepandemic levels, and COVID-19 was a major driver, according to a new report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
Data from the report, released Thursday by the independent non-profit organization that provides insights on health care systems and the health of Canadians, show about 57,700 admissions for such diseases in 2024, amounting to 142 for every 100,000 residents.
COVID contributed to more than 40 per cent of these, CIHI said, adding that the figures highlight the continuing impact of the pandemic.
“Effective vaccine access for communities who can benefit the most from this protective intervention is an important factor influencing hospitalizations for vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases,” the report said.
Mélanie Josée Davidson, director of health system performance at CIHI, said a key takeaway is that COVID remains a significant factor for preventable hospital admissions. Much like the flu, COVID evolves every year, she added.
“It’s a virus that changes, which means that we have to stay on top of it every year, and we have to continue to be proactive about managing this disease,” she said.
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The data show that the two other top contributing respiratory conditions were flu and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, which together accounted for 51 per cent of vaccine-preventable hospital admissions.
“What we’re seeing is that the people admitted to hospital with these diseases tend to be much older. About half of them are 75 or older,” Ms. Davidson said. “About one in five are children under the age of five.”
Vaccination for COVID is strongly recommended in Canada for individuals who are at a heightened risk of infection or severe disease, such as adults who are over the age of 65, as well as individuals from Indigenous communities, health care workers, pregnant individuals and those living with underlying medical conditions. Inoculations are available for individuals six months and older.
The dose schedule is typically once a year for those who have been previously vaccinated for COVID.
Individuals who are at increased risk of severe illness are advised to receive two doses a year, including those 80 years and older, those living in long-term care homes or other congregate living arrangements and individuals who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. Individuals 65 to 79 years of age may receive a second dose per year.
In its report, CIHI details how hospital admissions carry costs to health systems. It said that between April, 2023, and March, 2024, the average admission cost per COVID patient was about $28,500. The average total stay, including admissions to intensive care, was 23 days.
Hospital admission rates varied across different provinces and territories in 2024, with the highest rates in the territories and Saskatchewan.
CIHI’s new report touches on other areas that were identified as foundations for public health, including the number of nurses and inspectors. About three per cent of nurses in Canada work in public health, Ms. Davidson said.
The most common roles for these nurses included prenatal/postnatal education and support, immunization clinics and communicable-disease surveillance and control. Others included sexually transmitted infection and reproductive-health programs, school health initiatives and harm reduction.
The report said most were registered nurses (87 per cent), while the remainder were licensed practical nurses (registered practical nurses in Ontario) at 12 per cent and nurse practitioners at 1 per cent.
Ms. Davidson said CIHI worked in partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada, as well as the provinces and territories, to better understand if the right foundations for public health are in place to meet the current and future health needs of Canadians.