Whitehorse, YT — Yukon has the highest rate in Canada of hospitalizations for vaccine-preventable respiratory illnesses.
New data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information says there were about 57,700 such hospitalizations nationwide in 2024, or 142 per 100,000 people. COVID-19 was the main driver, followed by flu and RSV.
Yukon’s rate was 235 per 100,000. Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan had the next highest rates.
Older adults made up nearly half of hospitalizations, while children under five accounted for about one in five.
Health officials say vaccines can help prevent severe illness and ease pressure on hospitals, though access and uptake vary across the country.
