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Confidence in effectiveness Covid-19 vaccine rollout
Q. How confident are you in each of the following?
That the rollout of vaccinations against Covid-19 in Australia will be effective at stopping Covid-19 within the country
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| Very confident | 13% | 18% | 9% | 13% | 17% | 10% | 13% | 17% | 10% | 14% | ||
| Fairly confident | 44% | 43% | 45% | 43% | 42% | 48% | 47% | 49% | 47% | 30% | ||
| Not that confident | 23% | 23% | 23% | 25% | 22% | 22% | 25% | 19% | 21% | 32% | ||
| Not confident at all | 10% | 9% | 12% | 11% | 13% | 7% | 10% | 7% | 10% | 17% | ||
| Unsure | 9% | 7% | 11% | 8% | 7% | 12% | 6% | 7% | 13% | 6% | ||
| TOTAL: Confident | 58% | 61% | 54% | 56% | 58% | 58% | 59% | 66% | 57% | 44% | ||
| TOTAL: Not confident | 33% | 32% | 35% | 36% | 35% | 30% | 35% | 26% | 31% | 49% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,092 | 532 | 560 | 318 | 391 | 383 | 361 | 400 | 97 | 126 | ||
- However, when it comes to confidence in the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout at stopping the spread within the country, Australians are more cautious. While over half (58%) are confident in this, over a third (33%) are not confident.
- Coalition voters are the most optimistic with 66% confident in the effectiveness of the vaccine rollout, followed by 59% Labor voters, 57% Greens voters and 44% minor and independent party voters.
Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine
Q. Once a vaccine for Covid-19 becomes available in Australia, how long would you wait before taking it?
| 18/01 | 14/12 | 10/08 | |
| I’d get vaccinated as soon as possible | 42% | 43% | 56% |
| I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away | 47% | 46% | 35% |
| I’d never get vaccinated | 11% | 10% | 8% |
| Base (n) | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 |
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| I’d get vaccinated as soon as possible | 42% | 51% | 34% | 30% | 42% | 54% | 48% | 49% | 34% | 33% | ||
| I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away | 47% | 38% | 55% | 57% | 46% | 39% | 44% | 44% | 57% | 42% | ||
| I’d never get vaccinated | 11% | 11% | 11% | 14% | 13% | 7% | 8% | 7% | 9% | 25% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,084 | 539 | 545 | 341 | 358 | 385 | 334 | 431 | 118 | 106 | ||
- Fewer people say they would get a Covid-19 vaccine immediately than mid last year. 42% would get a vaccine as soon as possible, down from 56% last August. 47% would get vaccinated, but just not straight away (up from 35% in August) and 11% say they would never get vaccinated.
- Those most likely to get the vaccine immediately include men (51%) and those aged over 55 (54%).
- Those voting for independent or minor parties are the most likely to say they would never get vaccinated (25%).
Economic expectations post Covid-19
Q. Which of the following is closer to your expectations of what will happen to the economy following the Covid-19 situation?
| 14/12 | 27/04 | 20/04 | 13/04 | 06/04 | |
| The economy will rebound within 2-3 months and grow just as strong or stronger than before Covid-19 | 18% | 13% | 11% | 12% | 11% |
| The economy will be impacted for 6-12 months or longer and will stagnate or show slow growth thereafter | 43% | 49% | 47% | 49% | 51% |
| Covid-19 will have long lasting impact on the economy and the country will fall into a lengthy recession | 22% | 28% | 30% | 27% | 29% |
| Unsure | 17% | 10% | 11% | 11% | 9% |
| Base (n) | 1,071 | 1,054 | 1,051 | 1,068 | 1,069 |
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| The economy will rebound within 2-3 months and grow just as strong or stronger than before Covid-19 | 18% | 27% | 10% | 18% | 22% | 15% | 15% | 25% | 13% | 21% | ||
| The economy will be impacted for 6-12 months or longer and will stagnate or show slow growth thereafter | 43% | 42% | 44% | 45% | 38% | 47% | 47% | 48% | 46% | 36% | ||
| Covid-19 will have long lasting impact on the economy and the country will fall into a lengthy recession | 22% | 18% | 25% | 18% | 25% | 22% | 25% | 17% | 32% | 33% | ||
| Unsure | 17% | 13% | 20% | 19% | 15% | 16% | 13% | 10% | 10% | 10% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,071 | 539 | 532 | 339 | 374 | 358 | 356 | 406 | 102 | 107 | ||
- There is now more uncertainty about the future of the economy than earlier in the year. 17% say they are unsure how the economy will rebound following Covid-19, up from 10% in April.
- 18% think the economy will rebound in the next 2-3 months (up from 13% in April) and 22% think Covid-19 will cause a long-term recession (down from 28%).
- However most people think there will be some growth in the economy after 6-12 months (43%).
Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine
Q. Once a vaccine for Covid-19 becomes available in Australia, how long would you wait before taking it?
| 14/12 | 10/08 | |
| I’d get vaccinated as soon as possible | 43% | 56% |
| I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away | 46% | 35% |
| I’d never get vaccinated | 10% | 8% |
| Base (n) | 1,071 | 1,010 |
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| I’d get vaccinated as soon as possible | 43% | 53% | 35% | 35% | 41% | 53% | 44% | 48% | 45% | 42% | ||
| I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away | 46% | 41% | 51% | 54% | 48% | 38% | 52% | 43% | 44% | 39% | ||
| I’d never get vaccinated | 10% | 6% | 14% | 11% | 11% | 9% | 5% | 8% | 11% | 19% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,071 | 539 | 532 | 339 | 374 | 358 | 356 | 406 | 102 | 107 | ||
- Fewer people say they would get a Covid-19 vaccine immediately than earlier in the year. 43% would get a vaccine as soon as possible, down from 56% in August. 46% would get vaccinated, but just not straight away (up from 35%) and 10% say they would never get vaccinated.
- Those most likely to get the vaccine immediately include men (53%), those aged over 55 (53%).
- Those voting for independent of minor parties are most likely to say they would never get a vaccine (19%).
Interest in news stories
Q. How closely have you been following these news stories in the last fortnight?
The Covid-19 outbreak in South Australia
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Very closely | 26% | 28% | 23% | 22% | 28% | 27% | 24% | 29% | 30% | 22% |
| Fairly closely | 43% | 45% | 42% | 42% | 41% | 46% | 48% | 46% | 31% | 36% |
| Not that closely | 23% | 21% | 25% | 28% | 22% | 21% | 23% | 21% | 25% | 28% |
| Not closely at all | 8% | 6% | 9% | 7% | 9% | 7% | 4% | 4% | 14% | 14% |
| TOTAL: Closely | 69% | 73% | 65% | 65% | 69% | 73% | 73% | 75% | 61% | 59% |
| TOTAL: Not closely | 31% | 27% | 35% | 35% | 31% | 27% | 27% | 25% | 39% | 41% |
| Base (n) | 1,034 | 528 | 506 | 329 | 320 | 385 | 322 | 430 | 88 | 107 |
Interest in news stories
Q. How closely have you been following these news stories in the last fortnight?
The trial results of Covid-19 vaccines
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Very closely | 23% | 28% | 18% | 16% | 27% | 25% | 21% | 27% | 25% | 22% |
| Fairly closely | 43% | 42% | 44% | 47% | 37% | 46% | 51% | 44% | 35% | 33% |
| Not that closely | 25% | 23% | 26% | 28% | 25% | 22% | 21% | 23% | 31% | 29% |
| Not closely at all | 9% | 7% | 11% | 9% | 11% | 7% | 7% | 5% | 10% | 15% |
| TOTAL: Closely | 66% | 70% | 63% | 63% | 63% | 72% | 72% | 71% | 59% | 55% |
| TOTAL: Not closely | 34% | 30% | 37% | 37% | 37% | 28% | 28% | 29% | 41% | 45% |
| Base (n) | 1,034 | 528 | 506 | 329 | 320 | 385 | 322 | 430 | 88 | 107 |
Coronavirus concerns
Q. To what extent are you concerned about the threat of Covid-19 (coronavirus) in Australia?
| 30/11 | 16/11 | 02/11 | 05/10 | 21/09 | 07/09 | 24/08 | 10/08 | 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | |
| Very concerned | 27% | 27% | 30% | 30% | 36% | 37% | 40% | 50% | 43% | 36% | 25% |
| Quite concerned | 43% | 44% | 46% | 52% | 45% | 45% | 46% | 40% | 44% | 48% | 50% |
| Not that concerned | 24% | 23% | 20% | 15% | 15% | 13% | 10% | 7% | 9% | 12% | 21% |
| Not at all concerned | 6% | 6% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 4% |
| Base (n) | 1,034 | 1,010 | 1,063 | 1,066 | 1,081 | 1,076 | 1,068 | 1,010 | 1,058 | 1,054 | 1,079 |
- Concern about the threat of Covid-19 is at a similar level as last fortnight, with 30% saying they are either not that concerned (24%) or not at all concerned (6%). 27% are very concerned about the threat and the remaining 43% are quite concerned.
Federal Government response to Covid-19
Q. Overall, how would you rate the Federal Government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
| 30/11 | 16/11 | 02/11 | 05/10 | 21/09 | 07/09 | 24/08 | 10/08 | 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | |
| Very poor | 6% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 8% | 6% | 7% | 6% | 6% | 4% | 3% |
| Quite poor | 8% | 9% | 10% | 12% | 13% | 12% | 11% | 8% | 11% | 10% | 8% | 8% |
| Neither good nor poor | 19% | 18% | 24% | 22% | 21% | 22% | 22% | 21% | 20% | 20% | 17% | 16% |
| Quite good | 41% | 41% | 39% | 39% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 43% | 42% |
| Very good | 26% | 26% | 22% | 21% | 21% | 18% | 22% | 24% | 24% | 24% | 27% | 30% |
| TOTAL: Poor | 13% | 15% | 15% | 18% | 18% | 19% | 17% | 16% | 16% | 16% | 12% | 11% |
| TOTAL: Good | 67% | 67% | 61% | 60% | 61% | 59% | 61% | 63% | 64% | 64% | 71% | 72% |
| Base (n) | 1,034 | 1,010 | 1,063 | 1,066 | 1,081 | 1,076 | 1,068 | 1,010 | 1,058 | 1,054 | 1,079 | 1,087 |
- Rating of the Federal Government’s handling of Covid-19 is stable at 67% rating it very or quite good (up from 61% earlier in the month).
COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Download this week's ReportEssential Report
Two Party Preferred:
Labor
47%
Coalition
44%
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Federal government response to Covid-19
- State government response to Covid-19
- Confidence in Labor government handling of Covid-19 pandemic
- Satisfaction with speed of Covid-19 vaccine rollout
- Party most responsible for slow vaccine rollout
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