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

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248892
• Publication Date: 2021-03-24T17:32:38Z
• Authors: Ben Edwards; Nicholas Biddle; Matthew Gray; Kate Sollis
• Keywords: Disadvantaged; Pandemic; Social distance; Herd Immunity

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