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Views towards Covid-19 vaccination thresholds (focus on children)

31 Aug 2021

Q. The national cabinet has set targets for easing Covid-19 restrictions once 70% of the adult population is fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and for lockdowns to stop once 80% of the adult population is fully vaccinated.

These targets are based on the percentage of the adult population who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

  TOTAL: Agree TOTAL: Disagree Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neither disagree nor agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree
Actions to prevent the spread of Covid-19, like wearing masks in crowds and practicing social distancing, should be required even after we achieve the vaccination targets 65% 17% 31% 34% 18% 10% 7%
We should not be easing Covid-19 lockdown restrictions until a substantial proportion of children are fully vaccinated 58% 19% 26% 32% 24% 10% 9%
Children should be given priority for the Pfizer vaccine over those in the general population who are eligible for other vaccines 44% 23% 17% 26% 34% 15% 8%

 

TOTAL: Agree Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
Actions to prevent the spread of Covid-19, like wearing masks in crowds and practicing social distancing, should be required even after we achieve the vaccination targets 65% 62% 67% 58% 61% 74% 71% 66% 63% 48%
We should not be easing Covid-19 lockdown restrictions until a substantial proportion of children are fully vaccinated 58% 58% 58% 52% 55% 66% 65% 58% 59% 43%
Children should be given priority for the Pfizer vaccine over those in the general population who are eligible for other vaccines 44% 47% 41% 43% 41% 47% 47% 46% 48% 31%
Base (n) 1,100 539 561 341 374 385 388 405 90 119

 

TOTAL: Agree State Household Composition
NSW VIC QLD SA WA Dependent Children No Dependent Children
Actions to prevent the spread of Covid-19, like wearing masks in crowds and practicing social distancing, should be required even after we achieve the vaccination targets 73% 59% 63% 63% 61% 68% 63%
We should not be easing Covid-19 lockdown restrictions until a substantial proportion of children are fully vaccinated 60% 48% 58% 59% 71% 57% 58%
Children should be given priority for the Pfizer vaccine over those in the general population who are eligible for other vaccines 44% 38% 46% 46% 50% 48% 41%
Base (n) 349 276 219 89 111 392 708
  • Most people (65%) expect actions to prevent the spread of Covid-19, like wearing masks in crowds and practicing social distancing, should be required even after we achieve the vaccination targets.
  • Over half of people agree that we should not be easing Covid-19 lockdown restrictions until a substantial proportion of children are fully vaccinated. Agreement for this is highest among those aged over 55 (66%), Labor voters (65%), and those in WA (71%).
  • 44% agree that children should be given priority for the Pfizer vaccine over those in the general population who are eligible for other vaccines. Those with dependent children are more likely than those without to agree with this statement (48% to 41%).
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