Most Aussie parents keen to get kids COVID jabs

Photo: Kristine Wook/Unsplash - Almost four-in-five Australian parents and carers say they are likely to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19 once vaccinations are available, new analysis from The Australian National University (ANU) shows. The analysis also provides the first overview of the socioeconomic factors of Australians who have already been or are keen to get vaccinated against COVID-19, showing language and education are major barriers to uptake. The survey of more than 3,000 adults found 42.5 per cent of parents and carers would definitely get their children vaccinated once a safe and effective vaccine was made available to them. In addition, 36.3 per cent of parents said they were likely to get their children vaccinated. However, almost one-in-10 (9.8 per cent) of parents and carers said they definitely wouldn't get their children vaccinated, while 11.4 per cent said they probably wouldn't. Professor Nicholas Biddle said the findings provided vital insights about vaccine willingness among Australian parents and carers for governments and health authorities to take into account when planning any future vaccine roll-out to children. "In recent weeks and months we have seen lots of public commentary, including concerns, about making sure children are vaccinated against COVID-19," Professor Biddle said.