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Necessity of mandatory vaccinations in specific situations

14 Sep 2021

Q. In your opinion, should being vaccinated against Covid-19 be mandatory in the following circumstances?:

  Yes No Unsure
For health workers to work at hospitals, clinics, etc. 83% 12% 5%
For aged and disability care workers to work at care facilities 82% 14% 5%
For passengers to go on flights 77% 17% 7%
For teachers and teachers’ aides to work at schools 74% 19% 7%
For spectators to attend sports events 69% 22% 9%
For patrons to visit hospitality and entertainment venues 68% 22% 10%
For employees to work at their workplace 62% 24% 14%
For students to attend school 58% 26% 16%
For customers to shop at retail stores 58% 30% 12%
  • A high majority of people think being vaccinated against Covid-19 should be mandatory for health workers (83%), aged and disability care workers (82%), flight passengers (77%), and teachers and teacher’s aides (74%) – at least three quarters of people think mandatory vaccinations are necessary in each case.
  • Around two thirds think mandatory vaccinations are necessary for sports events spectators (69%), hospitality and entertainment venue patrons (68%), and employees going into workplaces (62%).
  • Over half think being vaccinated against Covid-19 should be mandatory for students to attend school, and for retail store customers (58% respectively).
TOTAL: Yes Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
For health workers to work at hospitals, clinics, etc. 83% 81% 85% 74% 81% 93% 84% 91% 77% 68%
For aged and disability care workers to work at care facilities 82% 78% 85% 70% 79% 94% 84% 87% 83% 66%
For passengers to go on flights 77% 73% 80% 63% 74% 90% 81% 81% 76% 62%
For teachers and teachers’ aides to work at schools 74% 72% 76% 61% 69% 90% 78% 80% 69% 58%
For spectators to attend sports events 69% 70% 68% 55% 68% 82% 72% 76% 63% 53%
For patrons to visit hospitality and entertainment venues 68% 69% 66% 56% 65% 80% 72% 74% 62% 51%
For employees to work at their workplace 62% 63% 60% 50% 60% 74% 62% 71% 56% 48%
For students to attend school 58% 60% 56% 52% 56% 65% 61% 63% 58% 43%
For customers to shop at retail stores 58% 59% 56% 48% 57% 66% 57% 67% 53% 43%
Base (n) 1,100 539 561 341 374 385 367 389 103 145
  • In each instance, those aged 18-34 and minor/independent party voters are the least likely to think being vaccinated against Covid-19 should be mandatory.
  • While those over 55 are generally more likely to think mandatory vaccinations are necessary in each circumstance, their view is especially pronounced for health workers (93%), aged and disability care workers (94%), flight passengers (90%), and teachers and teachers’ aides (90%).
  • Coalition voters are the most likely voters to think mandatory vaccinations are necessary for employees to work at their workplace (71% to 58% all other voters).
  • There is no difference between those who have and don’t have dependent children in views towards whether mandatory vaccinations are necessary for students to attend school.
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