Essential Report
Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine
Q. The Covid-19 vaccine rollout is underway in Australia.
Once a vaccine becomes available to you, how long would you wait before taking it?
| 07/06 | 10/05 | 26/04 | 15/03 | 01/03 | 18/01 | 14/12 | 10/08 | |
| I’d get vaccinated as soon as possible / I’ve already been vaccinated | 52% | 44% | 42% | 49% | 50% | 42% | 43% | 56% |
| I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away | 36% | 42% | 42% | 40% | 40% | 47% | 46% | 35% |
| I’d never get vaccinated | 13% | 14% | 16% | 12% | 10% | 11% | 10% | 8% |
| Base (n) | 1,104 | 1,092 | 1,090 | 1,124 | 1,074 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,008 |
- Just over half of Australians now say they would get vaccinated as soon as possible, or already have been vaccinated (52%), an increase from 44% last month.
- Fewer people now say they would get vaccinated but not straight away (36% from 42% last month).
- 13% now say they would never get vaccinated.
| VIC | 07/06 | 10/05 |
| I’d get vaccinated as soon as possible / I’ve already been vaccinated | 56% | 37% |
| I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away | 32% | 44% |
| I’d never get vaccinated | 12% | 19% |
| Base (n) | 278 | 275 |
| 18-34 | 07/06 | 10/05 |
| I’d get vaccinated as soon as possible / I’ve already been vaccinated | 45% | 32% |
| I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away | 41% | 48% |
| I’d never get vaccinated | 15% | 20% |
| Base (n) | 347 | 340 |
- More Victorians now say they would get vaccinated as soon as possible / have already been vaccinated compared to last month (56% from 37%); Fewer Victorians now say they would get vaccinated but not straight away (32% from 44% last month), and fewer now say they would never get vaccinated (12% from 19% last month).
- Similarly, more of those aged 18-34 now say they would get vaccinated as soon as possible / already have been vaccinated compared to last month (45% from 32%); Fewer 18-34 year old’s now say they would get vaccinated but not straight away (41% from 48% last month), and fewer now say they would never get vaccinated (15% from 20% last month).
Confidence in Covid-19 vaccine rollout
Q. As vaccinations against Covid-19 are rolled out across Australia, how confident are you in each of the following?
That the rollout of vaccinations against Covid-19 in Australia…
| TOTAL: Confident | 07/06 | 26/04 | 01/03 | 01/02 |
| … are being done efficiently | 43% | 43% | 68% | 68% |
| … are being done safely | 67% | 63% | 73% | 72% |
| … will be effective at stopping Covid-19 within the country | 54% | 52% | 64% | 58% |
| TOTAL: Confident | State | ||||
| NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
| … are being done efficiently | 47% | 37% | 46% | 39% | 46% |
| … are being done safely | 69% | 63% | 65% | 72% | 70% |
| … will be effective at stopping Covid-19 within the country | 55% | 53% | 52% | 66% | 52% |
| Base (n) | 349 | 278 | 225 | 89 | 108 |
- Less than half of Australians are confident the rollout is being done efficiently (43%, unchanged since last month). Victorians are the least confident in this (37%), closely followed by South Australians (39%).
- 54% of Australians are confident the Covid-19 vaccine rollout will be effective at stopping the virus within the country (52% last month), and 67% are confident that it is being done safely (63% last month).
| TOTAL: Confident | 18-34 | ||
| 07/06 | 26/04 | 01/03 | |
| … are being done efficiently | 42% | 50% | 67% |
| … are being done safely | 58% | 57% | 71% |
| … will be effective at stopping Covid-19 within the country | 53% | 53% | 63% |
| Base (n) | 347 | 359 | 326 |
| TOTAL: Confident | VIC | ||
| 07/06 | 26/04 | 01/03 | |
| … are being done efficiently | 37% | 45% | 67% |
| … are being done safely | 63% | 67% | 76% |
| … will be effective at stopping Covid-19 within the country | 53% | 54% | 66% |
| Base (n) | 278 | 274 | 275 |
- Victorians’ confidence in the Covid-19 vaccine rollout being done efficiently has fallen since March, from 67% to 37% this month.
- Confidence among Victorians that the rollout is being done safely has also decreased since March (63% from 76% in March).
- The confidence of those aged 18-34 in the Covid-19 vaccine rollout being done efficiently has also fallen. 42% are now confident the rollout is being done efficiently (from 50% in April, and 67% in March).
- Confidence among those aged 18-34 that the rollout is being done safely has also decreased since March (58% from 71% in March).
Satisfaction with speed of Covid-19 vaccine rollout
Q. Which of the following best describes your view on how quickly the following groups of people are being vaccinated against Covid-19 in Australia?
They are being vaccinated…
| … more quickly than I would like | … at about the right speed | … more slowly than I would like | Unsure | |
| Residents and workers at aged care and disability facilities | 11% | 25% | 49% | 14% |
| Quarantine, border and frontline healthcare workers | 12% | 33% | 39% | 16% |
| Essential workers (e.g. teachers, police, fire, emergency services) | 12% | 34% | 39% | 15% |
| Adults with an underlying medical condition | 11% | 31% | 37% | 21% |
| Adults aged under 50 | 8% | 36% | 36% | 20% |
| People aged over 50 | 10% | 39% | 35% | 16% |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults | 10% | 27% | 32% | 31% |
- About half (49%) of Australians think residents and workers at aged care and disability facilities are being vaccinated more slowly than they would like.
- Quarantine, border and frontline healthcare workers, and essential workers (e.g. teachers, police, fire, emergency services) are next in line, with 39% of Australians who think these groups are being vaccinated more slowly than they would like, respectively.
| TOTAL: … more slowly than I would like | State | ||||
| NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
| Residents and workers at aged care and disability facilities | 45% | 57% | 50% | 49% | 43% |
| People aged over 50 | 30% | 42% | 34% | 37% | 40% |
| Adults aged under 50 | 32% | 39% | 35% | 37% | 42% |
| Adults with an underlying medical condition | 33% | 42% | 39% | 38% | 36% |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults | 32% | 36% | 31% | 31% | 29% |
| Quarantine, border and frontline healthcare workers | 33% | 47% | 42% | 33% | 35% |
| Essential workers (e.g. teachers, police, fire, emergency services) | 34% | 45% | 42% | 36% | 35% |
| Base (n) | 349 | 278 | 225 | 89 | 108 |
- Victorians are most likely to think residents and workers at aged care and disability facilities, and quarantine, border and frontline healthcare workers are being vaccinated more slowly than they would like (57% and 47% respectively).
Party most responsible for slow vaccine rollout
Q. Which do you think is MOST responsible for Australians being vaccinated more slowly than you would like?
[Asked only to those who think any one of the groups listed above are being vaccinated against Covid-19 more slowly than they would like]
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| The federal government | 50% | 52% | 48% | 48% | 49% | 52% | 61% | 36% | 63% | 59% |
| State and territory governments | 23% | 28% | 17% | 22% | 23% | 23% | 14% | 34% | 15% | 18% |
| International supply chains | 8% | 7% | 8% | 6% | 7% | 9% | 9% | 7% | 5% | 9% |
| Unavoidable delays in the production of vaccines | 11% | 8% | 13% | 14% | 11% | 8% | 9% | 15% | 8% | 9% |
| Unsure | 9% | 5% | 13% | 10% | 10% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 5% |
| Base (n) | 755 | 374 | 381 | 225 | 222 | 308 | 250 | 284 | 78 | 95 |
| State | |||||
| NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
| The federal government | 48% | 58% | 41% | 39% | 53% |
| State and territory governments | 22% | 21% | 29% | 34% | 15% |
| International supply chains | 8% | 7% | 6% | 5% | 14% |
| Unavoidable delays in the production of vaccines | 12% | 7% | 12% | 13% | 14% |
| Unsure | 10% | 8% | 12% | 9% | 4% |
| Base (n) | 225 | 203 | 158 | 61 | 74 |
- Half (50%) of those who said any one of the groups listed in the previous question are being vaccinated more slowly than they would like think the federal government is most responsible for the slow rollout of vaccinations.
- Compared to other Australians, Victorians are most likely to think the federal government is most responsible (58% of Victorians, followed by 53% of Western Australians, 48% of those in NSW, 41% Queenslanders and 39% South Australians).
- 23% think state and territory governments are most responsible; Men and Coalition voters are most likely to think this.
Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine
Q. The Covid-19 vaccine rollout is underway in Australia.
Once a vaccine becomes available to you, how long would you wait before taking it?
| 26/04 | 15/03 | 01/03 | 18/01 | 14/12 | 10/08 | |
| I’d get vaccinated as soon as possible / I’ve already been vaccinated | 42% | 47% | 50% | 42% | 43% | 56% |
| I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away | 42% | 40% | 40% | 47% | 46% | 35% |
| I’d never get vaccinated | 16% | 12% | 10% | 11% | 10% | 8% |
| Base (n) | 1,090 | 1,124 | 1,074 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 |
- With the rocky start to the nationwide Covid-19 vaccine rollout, 42% of Australians now say they would get vaccinated as soon as possible or they’ve already been vaccinated. This is a drop from last month (47%) and a return to levels at the start of this year / end of last year.
- About the same proportion of people as last month say that would get vaccinated but not straight away (42%).
- 16% now say they would never get vaccinated, the highest proportion since first recording data in August last year.
| 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 / I’ve already been vaccinated | 42% | 49% | 36% | 33% | 39% | 53% | 43% | 52% | 33% | 35% | |
| I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away | 42% | 40% | 44% | 44% | 44% | 38% | 45% | 39% | 50% | 33% | |
| I’d never get vaccinated | 16% | 12% | 20% | 23% | 17% | 9% | 13% | 10% | 17% | 33% | |
| Base (n) | 1,090 | 539 | 551 | 359 | 289 | 442 | 362 | 414 | 95 | 114 | |
- Those most likely to get the vaccine immediately or already be vaccinated include men (49%) and those aged over 55 (53%) – however for the latter group this is a notable drop from last month (was 60%).
- Those voting for independent or minor parties are the most likely to say they would never get vaccinated (33%) – another significant increase since last month (20%).
Preference towards Covid-19 vaccines
Q. As you may be aware, there are currently two vaccines available in Australia – the Pfizer vaccine and the AstraZeneca (Oxford) vaccine.
Which of the following is closer to your view?
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-29 | 30-49 | 50-69 | 70 and over | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| I would be willing to get either the AstraZeneca vaccine or the Pfizer vaccine | 37% | 48% | 27% | 28% | 31% | 40% | 61% | 35% | 47% | 32% | 31% |
| I would be willing to get the AstraZeneca vaccine but not the Pfizer vaccine | 3% | 4% | 2% | 6% | 4% | 1% | 2% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 0% |
| I would be willing to get the Pfizer vaccine but not the AstraZeneca vaccine | 27% | 25% | 28% | 26% | 29% | 29% | 16% | 31% | 28% | 26% | 22% |
| I would not be willing to get either the AstraZeneca vaccine or the Pfizer vaccine | 14% | 11% | 18% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 11% | 13% | 10% | 14% | 30% |
| Unsure | 19% | 12% | 25% | 25% | 21% | 15% | 11% | 17% | 11% | 24% | 18% |
| Base (n) | 1,090 | 539 | 551 | 250 | 327 | 339 | 174 | 362 | 414 | 95 | 114 |
- 37% would be willing to get either the AstraZeneca vaccine or the Pfizer vaccine, however, nearly a third (27%) say they would only be willing to get the Pfizer vaccine. 14% would not be willing to get either vaccine, and 19% are unsure. Only 3% would get the AstraZeneca vaccine but not the Pfizer vaccine.
- Men are much more likely than women to be willing to get either vaccine (48% to 27% respectively); as women are more unsure (25% to 12% men).
- Willingness to get either vaccine increases with age – while 28% of those 18-29 would be willing to receive either vaccine, this increases to 61% of those 70 and over.
- Coalition voters are more likely to get either vaccine (47% to 35% Labor, 32% Greens and 31% minor and independent party voters).
- Despite the recommendation against the AstraZeneca vaccine only applying to under 50s, those 50-69 are on par with those under 50 in terms of their willingness to get the Pfizer vaccine but not the AstraZeneca vaccine. The proportion of those who would only be willing to get the Pfizer vaccine and not the AstraZeneca vaccine is consistent across all age groups under 70 – 26% of those 18-29, 29% of those 30-49, 29% of those 50-69 compared to 16% of those 70 and over would be willing to get the Pfizer vaccine only.
Confidence in Covid-19 vaccine rollout
Q. As vaccinations against Covid-19 are rolled out across Australia, how confident are you in each of the following?
That the rollout of vaccinations against Covid-19 in Australia…
| TOTAL: Confident | 26/04 | 01/03 | 01/02 |
| … are being done efficiently | 43% | 68% | 68% |
| … are being done safely | 63% | 73% | 72% |
| … will be effective at stopping Covid-19 within the country | 52% | 64% | 58% |
| Base (n) | 1,090 | 1,074 | 1,092 |
- With the issues affecting the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, now just over half are confident it will be effective at stopping Covid-19 within the country (52% from 64% last month).
- Additionally, less than half of Australians are confident the rollout is being done efficiently (43% from 68% last month) and two-thirds are now confident that it is being done safely (63% from 73% last month).
| TOTAL: Confident | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| … are being done efficiently | 43% | 46% | 41% | 50% | 43% | 39% | 39% | 56% | 32% | 32% |
| … are being done safely | 63% | 68% | 59% | 57% | 58% | 74% | 61% | 74% | 64% | 52% |
| … will be effective at stopping Covid-19 within the country | 52% | 60% | 44% | 53% | 46% | 57% | 49% | 64% | 56% | 36% |
| Base (n) | 1,090 | 539 | 551 | 359 | 289 | 442 | 362 | 414 | 95 | 114 |
- While confidence in the Covid-19 rollout has dropped across all demographics, the confidence of those 35-54, has been hit the hardest. Last month, 61% of those aged 35-54 were confident the rollout will be effective at stopping Covid-19 within the country, now 46% are confident this is the case. This trend is also reflected in confidence in the rollout’s efficiency (was 64%, now 43%) and safety (was 69%, now 58%).
- Coalition voters are still the most confident that the vaccine rollout is being done efficiently (56%), safely (74%), and will be effective and stopping Covid-19 within the country (64%).
Satisfaction with speed of Covid-19 vaccine rollout
Q. Which of the following best describes your view on how quickly Australians are being vaccinated against Covid-19?
They are being vaccinated…
| This week
26/04 |
Two weeks ago 12/04 | |
| … much more quickly than I would like | 11% | 13% |
| … a bit more quickly than I would like | 9% | 8% |
| … at about the right speed | 21% | 19% |
| … a bit more slowly than I would like | 26% | 25% |
| … a lot more slowly than I would like | 19% | 27% |
| Unsure | 14% | 9% |
| TOTAL: More quickly than I would like | 19% | 20% |
| TOTAL: More slowly than I would like | 45% | 52% |
| Base (n) | 1,090 | 1,368 |
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |||
| … much more quickly than I would like | 11% | 13% | 9% | 16% | 13% | 4% | 9% | 11% | 9% | 19% | |
| … a bit more quickly than I would like | 9% | 10% | 7% | 13% | 11% | 3% | 10% | 10% | 8% | 5% | |
| … at about the right speed | 21% | 23% | 20% | 26% | 19% | 19% | 17% | 27% | 18% | 18% | |
| … a bit more slowly than I would like | 26% | 25% | 27% | 23% | 19% | 36% | 30% | 29% | 24% | 17% | |
| … a lot more slowly than I would like | 19% | 20% | 19% | 9% | 18% | 30% | 24% | 17% | 20% | 23% | |
| Unsure | 14% | 9% | 19% | 14% | 20% | 8% | 10% | 6% | 20% | 18% | |
| TOTAL: More quickly than I would like | 19% | 23% | 16% | 29% | 24% | 7% | 19% | 21% | 17% | 25% | |
| TOTAL: More slowly than I would like | 45% | 45% | 45% | 32% | 36% | 66% | 54% | 45% | 45% | 39% | |
| Base (n) | 1,090 | 539 | 551 | 359 | 289 | 442 | 362 | 414 | 95 | 114 | |
- 45% now think Australians are being vaccinated against Covid-19 more slowly than they would like, a drop from two weeks ago (52%), as more participants are unsure about the speed of the vaccination rollout (14% this week, 9% two weeks ago).
- The proportion of participants who think Australians are being vaccinated more quickly than they would like is on par with last fortnight (19% this week, 20% two weeks ago).
- Those over 55 are still more likely than younger cohorts to think the vaccine rollout is progressing more slowly than they would like (66% compared to 36% of 35-54 and 32% those 18-34 years old).
- Labor voters are also still the most likely voters to think the vaccine rollout is progressing more slowly than they would like (54% compared to 45% Coalition voters, 45% Greens voters and 39% independent and minor party voters).
COVID-19 RESEARCH
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