Essential Report
Views towards progress of Covid-19 vaccine rollout
Q. As you may be aware, distribution of the Covid-19 vaccines is primarily the responsibility of the federal government.
Scott Morrison promised in January this year that 4 million Australians would be vaccinated against Covid-19 by the end of March. This target was shifted out in March to 4 million Australians by April 26th. As of April 2nd, 750,000 Australians have been vaccinated.
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
TOTAL: Agree | TOTAL: Disagree | Strongly agree | Somewhat agree | Neither agree nor disagree | Somewhat disagree | Strongly disagree | |
I’m confident that 4 million Australians will be vaccinated against Covid-19 by April 26th | 19% | 55% | 6% | 13% | 26% | 24% | 31% |
The federal government needs to step up and take more responsibility for ensuring Australians are vaccinated against Covid-19 as quickly as possible | 56% | 17% | 28% | 29% | 27% | 10% | 7% |
Delays in the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines are due to circumstances outside the federal government’s control, and there’s nothing more they could have done about it | 47% | 26% | 15% | 32% | 27% | 17% | 10% |
The slower than expected rollout indicates that the federal government is not doing as good a job as they claimed | 48% | 25% | 21% | 27% | 27% | 16% | 9% |
TOTAL: Agree | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
I’m confident that 4 million Australians will be vaccinated against Covid-19 by April 26th | 19% | 25% | 13% | 22% | 28% | 7% | 14% | 27% | 21% | 13% | ||
The federal government needs to step up and take more responsibility for ensuring Australians are vaccinated against Covid-19 as quickly as possible | 56% | 58% | 55% | 51% | 56% | 61% | 65% | 53% | 62% | 54% | ||
Delays in the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines are due to circumstances outside the federal government’s control, and there’s nothing more they could have done about it | 47% | 51% | 43% | 41% | 50% | 48% | 37% | 66% | 36% | 39% | ||
The slower than expected rollout indicates that the federal government is not doing as good a job as they claimed | 48% | 50% | 46% | 45% | 51% | 47% | 59% | 37% | 61% | 49% | ||
Base (n) | 1,368 | 669 | 699 | 426 | 460 | 482 | 483 | 471 | 123 | 165 | ||
- Well over half (56%) of Australians agree the federal government needs to step up and take more responsibility for ensuring Australians are vaccinated against Covid-19 as quickly as possible. Labor voters and those over 55 are the most likely to agree with this (65% and 61% respectively).
- Just under half (48%) agree the slower than expected rollout indicates that the federal government is not doing as good a job as they claimed. Labor voters and Greens voters are most likely to follow this view (59% and 61%).
- However, just under half as well (47%) agree the delays in the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines are due to circumstances outside the federal government’s control, and there’s nothing more they could have done about it. The majority of Coalition voters align with this view (66%).
- Only 19% are confident that 4 million Australians will be vaccinated against Covid-19 by the end of the month.

COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Essential Report
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Views towards re-electing the federal Coalition government
- Party trust to handle issues
- Importance of Australia’s international reputation
- Scott Morrison’s impact on Australia’s international reputation
- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
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