Parents and carers were asked if a safe and effective vaccination to prevent COVID-19 became available for children, would they make the decision to vaccinate. Across all parents/carers, 42.5 per cent reported that they would definitely get their child vaccinated, 36.3 per cent would probably get their child vaccinated, 11.4 per cent would probably not get their child vaccinated and 9.8 per cent would definitely not get their child vaccinated.
Eight in ten (79%) Australian parents/carers stated they would definitely/probably get their child vaccinated when a safe and effective vaccine is made available.
11% stated they would definitely NOT get their child vaccinated against COVID-19 if a safe and effective vaccine was made available. A further 10% said they probably would NOT get their child vaccinated.
Male parents/carers reported a lower level of vaccine hesitancy for their child than female parents/caregivers. 81% of male parents/carers stated they would probably or definitely get their child vaccinated, whereas 75% of female parents/carers stated they probably or definitely would get their child vaccinated.
Parents expressed a greater willingness to vaccinate children aged 15 to 18 with almost 9 in 10 (87%) stating they would probably or definitely be vaccinated.
Child vaccination willingness/hesitancy rates were similar to adult rates prior to the commencement of the vaccine rollout.
Parents/carers who were less likely to get their child vaccinated included mothers/female carers; parents/carers who identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, parents/carers who speak a language other than English, parents/carers with low education, and those who live in disadvantaged areas.