If you are male, 18 years or over and culturally or linguistically diverse (CALD), the Coronavax Project wants to hear from you.

Coronavax is a research project which monitors COVID-19 vaccine sentiment across Western Australia and aims to provide policy makers with the critical information they need to make vaccination decisions.

It was launched by The University of Western Australia, home to the VaxPol Lab, and the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, based at The Kids Research Institute Australia.

Honorary Research Fellow at UWA’s School of Social Sciences, Dr Samantha Carlson, said researchers were continuing to hold interviews to determine people’s understanding of, and feeling about, the COVID-19 vaccines and rollout.

“We’re excited to understand different views on this important issue across diverse sections of the community and at the moment, we particularly want to hear from culturally and linguistically diverse men who are 18 years and older from anywhere in WA,” Dr Carlson said. 

“So far, we’ve heard from women who have previously lived in countries such as Afghanistan, Kenya, Ethiopia, India, Korea and Myanmar. So that we can find ways to support all members of the CALD community here in WA, we’re hoping to learn about what men think about COVID-19 vaccination.”

"Coronavax involves a five-minute survey (click here to sign up)  and then, for those who qualify, a one-on-one interview lasting an hour, which will be recorded. Participant’s names will not be shared with anyone except the person interviewing them." 

Those being interviewed can expect questions such as why they want the COVID-19 vaccine (or why not), what their thoughts are on getting a COVID vaccine compared to other vaccines, what their experience has been like trying to get a vaccine (if wanting to be vaccinated), and what concerns they may have, if any, around the vaccine or vaccination policies.

“The project seeks to connect the WA community with the government and policy makers so that the COVID-19 vaccine program considers the voice of the WA community. This means we regularly share with the government any COVID-19 vaccine concerns participants are telling us about, or difficulties they’re experiencing in getting a vaccine,” Dr Carlson said. 

“We’ll also share a summary of findings with community leaders and services that connect with CALD people so that those who want to be vaccinated have the support around them to get vaccinated.

“The safest and most effective COVID-19 vaccine won’t restore our way of life, such as visiting friends and family in other states or overseas, unless it reaches the arms of the majority of the WA population,” she said.