The Angus Reid Institute says its latest polling finds Canadian concern over contracting COVID-19 rebounding, after a decrease in November.

Of those polled three in five Canadians say they are concerned about becoming sick and three quarters say they are worried their friends or family will be infect with COVID-19.

In the face of the ever-spreading Omicron variant, a majority of Canadian parents say they are ready to get their young children vaccinated. Half, with children aged five to 11 years, say they will have their children receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

With 76 per cent of the population fully vaccinated, the number of people planning to attend workplace parties, visit friends locally, and have holiday dinners is rebounding closer to pre-pandemic levels.

However, almost two thirds (61%) say they will only be spending time with those who are vaccinated.

More Key Findings:

Concern about becoming sick from COVID-19 is highest among those 55 years of age and older. Two-thirds (66%) in this group are worried about the possibility.

Four-in-five Canadians (80%) say they plan to have dinner with their family this year to celebrate the holidays – a 22-point increase over 2020, but still not at 2019 levels.

Two-in-five (38%) say vaccination should be mandatory in their child’s school.