With vaccinations for Coronavirus soon to roll out across Australia, a research team from The University of Western Australia and the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases at The Kids Research Institute Australia is seeking Western Australian study participants to learn more about community attitudes towards COVID vaccines.

In particular, the researchers are seeking health care workers, those in aged care, and people over the age of 65 to participate in the study.

Some of the questions they are seeking answers to include if and why people want a vaccine,  people’s thoughts on getting a COVID vaccine compared to other vaccines and any concerns they may have about a vaccine or vaccination policies.

Lead researcher Dr Katie Attwell from the UWA School of Social Sciences said it was important to hear people’s voices and the study would compile useful information to assist with the rollout. 

“We are excited to engage with the WA community on this important issue and to understand different views in a way that will reach the ears of government,” Dr Attwell said. 

“The information we collect will be of great use, assisting with the vaccine rollout.

“We are keen to hear from people over the age of 18 in Perth from a variety of age groups, family types and professions.”

The study will involve a five-minute pre-screening survey, and a one-on-one interview lasting an hour, which will be recorded.

Participants will receive a supermarket gift voucher worth $20. All information provided by participants will remain confidential.

Dr Samantha Carlson from the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, based at The Kids Research Institute Australia, said the information gathered through the project would be regularly fed back to Government and stakeholders.

“For any vaccine rollout to be successful, it is vital that the public’s views are taken into account and that information given to the public is communicated effectively,” she said.

“The insight we gather through this work will help shape the strategy for reaching out to different groups in the community to ensure they get the information they need about COVID-19 vaccination.”

To participate in the Coronavax study visit https://redcap.link/coronavaxWA or if you have any questions email [email protected].

For more information on the Coronavax study visit www.uwa.edu.au/Coronavax