Survey finds most Australians would get coronavirus vaccine

Most Australians would get themselves and their children vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a survey from Monash University.

The latest results from the Survey of COVID-19 Responses to Understand Behaviour (SCRUB) project, released last week, examined compliance with COVID-19 rules and regulations as well as a vaccination against the disease.

BehaviourWorks Australia, part of the Monash Sustainable Development Institute, is leading the Australian chapter of SCRUB in partnership with the state government.

These results, collected in late September, form the ninth round of data collection and provide policymakers with actionable insights into public attitudes and behaviours relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite concerns in the media that vaccine hesitancy could undermine Australia’s COVID-19 response, SCRUB data found 71 per cent of Australians would get a COVID-19 vaccination if it became available.

Only eight per cent said they would not get vaccinated.

Two-thirds of respondents stated they would also vaccinate their children against the disease.

The majority of respondents said they believe the vaccine was important and necessary.

SCRUB also found 80 per cent of respondents are often or always following COVID-19 rules and regulations with the majority of respondents (71 per cent) stating their compliance has stayed the same as the previous month.

Respondents were also asked how much longer they could adhere to the personal actions required or recommended by authorities in their state.

Almost 90 per cent of Australians believe that they can follow COVID-19-related rules and regulations for as long or longer than is requested by authorities in their state with 44 per cent stating that they could comply indefinitely, if needed.

Lead researcher Dr Peter Slattery said it was very positive to see most Australians were willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19, if or when that opportunity arises.

“It shows again that we’re willing to do whatever it takes as a nation to stop the virus and return to normality.

“It was also great to see that so many Australians are willing to keep following COVID-19-related rules and regulations for as long as it takes.

“Obviously we all hope to see the restrictions reduce over time as we defeat the virus but we may need to maintain changes to our lives to help make that happen.”