COVID-19 vaccine willingness prior to and during the COVID-19 vaccination rollout in Australia

Abstract

This study aimed to assess vaccine willingness, and the reasons why respondents were not likely to receive COVID-19 vaccine prior to and during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. This cross-sectional survey (n = 5,130) was conducted between January and April 2021 in South Australia, Australia. Weighted multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the association between sociodemographic/health factors and outcome measures. The percentage of respondents who stated they were very likely to get vaccinated fluctuated between 50% and 78% during the survey period. The willingness of receiving COVID-19 vaccination was significantly lower among women than men (aOR: 0.70) and higher among adults ≥50 years (aOR: 1.82 for 50–69 years and aOR: 3.01 for ≥70 years vs 16–29-year olds). Other factors significantly associated with higher willingness were ≥Year 12 education (aOR: 2.50 for Year 12/TAFE/certificate/ diploma vs <Year 12 education; aOR: 1.44 for bachelor’s degree or higher vs <Year 12 education), highest socioeconomic level vs lowest socioeconomic level (aOR: 1.75), and unpaid work/retirement/other vs unemployment (aOR: 1.77). Other factors such as being Aboriginal, not being married, not having chronic illness, and/or culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds were identified to be significantly related to low confidence in vaccine safety, perceived low risk of disease and/or perceived lack of information. Parents or caregivers were significantly less willing for their child to be vaccinated compared to people in general (OR: 0.62). Targeted campaigns to improve uptake need to include appropriate messaging about vaccine safety and disease burden in addition to strategies to improve access to less willing groups.