Advocating Free Vaccinations to Reduce Healthcare Costs in Canada

A call for free vaccinations in Canada has emerged as a potential solution to alleviate healthcare costs, particularly for seniors. Advocates argue that providing all Canadians with free vaccines for life could significantly reduce hospitalization rates and overall health expenses. The discussion comes as many older adults face substantial costs for vaccines that could prevent serious illnesses.

In British Columbia, the pharmacy experience has highlighted disparities in vaccine accessibility. While influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations are available at no cost to residents, vaccines for conditions such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and shingles can be prohibitively expensive. The cost for the RSV vaccine is approximately $300, and the shingles vaccine, recommended for adults aged 50 and older, is about $160 per dose. Many seniors must weigh these costs against their limited budgets, often resulting in decisions that could jeopardize their health.

Statistics from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) reveal that British Columbia spent an average of $9,673 per capita on healthcare in 2024. Notably, the spending was not evenly distributed across age groups. Infants received $16,583 per capita, while those aged 65 and older received approximately $14,042. In 2023, seniors accounted for about a quarter of all emergency visits and 47 percent of hospitalizations, spending an average of 8.6 days in hospital—almost four days longer than younger patients.

Hospital stays are costly. For instance, a typical hospital stay in B.C. during the 2022-23 period averaged $8,321. Given that most people who contract shingles or RSV do not require hospitalization, increased vaccination rates could lead to fewer hospital admissions. According to the policy brief “Shingles Matters: Driving Provincial Policy in Canada,” approximately 130,000 Canadians contract shingles each year, with B.C. accounting for about 13,000 to 15,000 cases.

The implications of these findings are significant. Many seniors suffer at home from shingles or RSV, which could lead to complications that necessitate hospital care. The average cost of hospitalization for RSV can reach $5,000 for a five to six-day stay, and severe cases requiring intensive care can escalate the cost to $20,000 per patient.

Vaccination rates in B.C. remain low, particularly for the RSV vaccine, which has an efficacy rate of 82.6 percent. A government report indicated that only 12 to 15 percent of B.C. seniors have received the RSV vaccine, with uptake significantly higher in long-term care facilities. The shingles vaccine, known as Shingrix, also has low uptake, with only about one in three seniors vaccinated, despite its 90 percent efficacy rate.

The potential benefits of increasing vaccination rates are substantial. Health experts are beginning to advocate for a shift in focus towards adult vaccinations. An editorial in the November issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases highlighted that adult vaccination is emerging as a crucial strategy for promoting healthy aging and reducing healthcare costs. Vaccines could also play a role in combating antimicrobial resistance by decreasing the incidence of infections treated with antibiotics.

Making vaccines freely available could lead to healthier seniors, reduced hospitalizations, and lower healthcare costs. By providing universal access to vaccines, Canada could ensure that older adults enjoy more years of good health and independence. The majority of seniors would likely take advantage of such a program, recognizing the lifelong benefits of vaccination.

In conclusion, the argument for free vaccinations mirrors the fundamental principles of public health, much like the provision of safe drinking water. Ensuring that all Canadians have access to vaccines is not only a matter of health equity but also a pragmatic approach to sustaining a robust healthcare system.