COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and resistance: Correlates in a nationally representative longitudinal survey of the Australian population

Abstract

Background High levels of vaccination coverage in populations will be required even with vaccines that have high levels of effectiveness to prevent and stop outbreaks of coronavirus. The World Health Organisation has suggested that governments take a proactive response to vaccine hesitancy ‘hotspots’ based on social and behavioural insights. Methods Representative longitudinal online survey of over 3000 adults from Australia that examines the demographic, attitudinal, political and social attitudes and COVID-19 health behavior correlates of vaccine hesitance and resistance to a COVID-19 vaccine. Results Overall, 59% would definitely get the vaccine, 29% had low levels of hesitancy, 7% had high levels of hesitancy and 6% were resistant. Females, those living in disadvantaged areas, those who reported that risks of COVID-19 was overstated, those who had more populist views and higher levels of religiosity were more likely to be hesitant or resistant while those who had higher levels of household income, those who had higher levels of social distancing, who downloaded the COVID-Safe App, who had more confidence in their state or territory government or confidence in their hospitals, or were more supportive of migration were more likely to intend to get vaccinated. Conclusions Our findings suggest that vaccine hesitancy, which accounts for a significant proportion of the population can be addressed by public health messaging but for a significant minority of the population with strongly held beliefs, alternative policy measures may well be needed to achieve sufficient vaccination coverage to end the pandemic.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Its Associated Factors in Japan

“…The most commonly cited reason for not getting vaccinated was concern about adverse reactions in more than 70% of the respondents. In addition, distrust toward the government and toward government policy on COVID-19 were observed to be factors related to the hesitancy, which is consistent with previous studies [ 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Other cited reasons for the hesitancy unique to the COVID-19 vaccine were the new mechanism of administration of mRNA by some vaccines, and the fast vaccination approval process [ 14 ].…”

COVID19 Vaccine Intentions in South Africa: Health Communication Strategy to Address Vaccine Hesitancy

“…However, there have been studies [47] that cite negative relationship between vaccination and being married (or in a steady relationship). The result that males are on average less hesitant than females is consistent with the nding by [32] in the Australian context.…”

“…Exceptions are Chu and [31] in the US context and [28] in the context of China which used the EPPM and HBM frameworks respectively to assess COVID19 vaccine behaviour. [32] has identi ed the correlates of vaccine hesitancy in Australia, without the use of a speci c theoretical framework. The authors have not been able identify a study in the South African context on COVID19 vaccine intention.…”

Protecting individuals living with overweight and obesity: Attitudes and concerns toward COVID‐19 vaccination in Canada

“…Higher levels of comfort and confidence were associated to acceptance of a COVID‐19 vaccine (21). An Australian study reported that women, those with low perceived risk of COVID‐19, and those less trustworthy of vaccination programs were more likely to be resistant of vaccination (31). In our survey, women were less comfortable receiving a vaccine and more fearful of risks, consistent with previous research.…”