Attitudes towards vaccines and intention to vaccinate against COVID-19: Implications for public health communications in Australia

Enticott, J.; Gill, J.; Bacon, S.; Lavoie, K. L.; Epstein, D.; Dawadi, S.; Teede, H.; Boyle, J.

Objective: To examine SARS-CoV-2 vaccine confidence, attitudes and intentions in Australian adults. Methods: Nationwide survey in February-March 2021 of adults representative across sex, age and location. Vaccine uptake and a range of putative drivers of uptake, including vaccine confidence, socioeconomic status, and sources of trust, were examined using logistic and Bayesian regressions for vaccines generally and for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Results: Overall 1,166 surveys were collected from participants aged 18 to 90 years (mean 52, SD of 19). Seventy-eight percent reported being likely to receive a vaccine against COVID-19. Higher SARS-CoV-2 vaccine intentions were associated with: increasing age (OR: 1.04 95%CI [1.03-1.044]), being male (OR: 1.37, 95% CI [1.08-1.72]), residing in the least disadvantaged area quintile (OR: 2.27 95%CI [1.53-3.37]) and a self-perceived high risk of getting COVID-19 (OR: 1.52 95% CI [1.08-2.14]). However, 72% of participants did not believe that they were at a high risk of getting COVID-19. Findings regarding vaccines in general were similar except there were no sex differences. For both the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and vaccines in general, there were no differences in intentions to vaccinate as a function of education level, perceived income level, and rurality. Knowing that the vaccine is safe and effective, and that getting vaccinated will protect others, trusting the company that made it and getting vaccination recommended by a doctor were reported to influence a large proportion of the study cohort to uptake the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Seventy-eight percent reported the intent to continue engaging in virus-protecting behaviours (mask wearing, social distancing etc.) post-vaccine. Conclusions: Seventy-eight percent of Australians are likely to receive a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Key influencing factors identified in this study (e.g. knowing that the vaccine is safe and effective, getting a doctor's recommendation to get vaccinated) can be used to inform public health messaging to enhance vaccination rates. Keywords: COVID-19, Infection control, Public Health, Preventive Medicine, Respiratory infections