Broad support for jab as state readies for program

THREE in four Australians are willing to get a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available, a survey has found, as Tasmania prepares to roll out its vaccination program from the end of this month.

Access to the vaccine is expected to be available for older and vulnerable Australians this month, with health authorities hoping a nationwide rollout is completed by Octodriven ber. But while the Ipsos poll found broad support for the vaccine, just 44 per cent of respondents said they would get the jab if it were available immediately, which was behind many other countries surveyed.

“The early hesitancy we saw around the globe wasn’t being

by the public buying into conspiracy theories,” Ipsos Australia director Jessica Elgood said.

“It was more likely to be reasonable, thoughtful people being hesitant because they didn’t know what they needed to know to make the right decision.”

A separate survey of more than 470 readers on the Mercury’s Facebook page found 65 per cent would get the vaccine as soon as they could.

Tasmanian Vaccinations Operations Centre commander Dale Webster said authorities were confident Tasmanians would take up the vaccine.

“The government recognises there is some concern in the community given the impact of COVID-19 across the world and the speed with which vaccines have been developed and tested,’’ Mr Webster said.

“However,

Australia has strict requirements for the testing and approval of vaccines.

“All Tasmanians can be confident the vaccines are safe and no shortcuts have been taken in the approval process.”

Mr Webster said there had been a positive response to the recent call for registered nurses to lodge an expression of interest to be part of the vaccination program.

The government has contacted authorised pharmacist immunisers and soon will seek expressions community participate.

The first phase of the vaccine rollout in Tasmania will be delivered from the state’s three major hospitals.

Quarantine and border workers, groups of critical healthcare workers, aged care and disability care staff, and residential aged care and disability residents will be given highest priority. of interest from pharmacists to