Only half of SA will ‘definitely’ get COVID jab: YouGov opinion poll

SA faces a huge challenge in persuading enough people to take the coronavirus vaccine to reach herd immunity levels, an exclusive Advertiser poll reveals.

Only half of South Australians say they will “definitely” get vaccinated against COVID-19, according to an exclusive opinion poll conducted for The Advertiser.

Many still need convincing, with almost one in three South Australians saying they either won’t get the jab or will only “maybe” get vaccinated.

But anti-vaxxer sentiment is low in SA, with just 3 per cent of respondents to the YouGov poll saying it was against their principles or beliefs to get vaccinated.

It was the highest among younger South Australians, with 9 per cent of people aged 18 to 34 saying it was against their beliefs to get vaccinated, compared to just 1 per cent aged 35 to 49, 3 per cent aged 50 to 64.

No one older than 65 said getting a vaccine was against their beliefs in the survey, which interviewed 843 people across Adelaide and regional SA between February 24 and March 1.

More men than women, or 5 per cent to 1 per cent, said it was against their belief to be vaccinated.

But women and young people were the most concerned about the potential long-term impact on their health and possible side effects.

About 45 per cent of women said they would “definitely” get the COVID-19 jab, compared to 54 per cent of men.

Overall, 49 per cent of South Australians said they would “definitely” get the vaccine.

A further 22 per cent said they would “most likely” get one of the vaccines which have begun rolling out in SA.

Sixteen per cent said they would “maybe” get vaccinated and 13 per cent said they would not get the jab.

Thirty per cent of women either said they would “maybe” get the vaccine or would not get the jab, compared to 27 per cent of men.

About one in three South Australians aged 18 to 34 said they would “definitely” be vaccinated, compared to 46 per cent aged 35 to 49, 54 per cent of those aged 50 to 64 and 64 per cent of those older than 65.

Sentiments were virtually the same across regional SA and in Adelaide, but those with a tertiary education were more likely to say they would definitely get the jab.

About 8 per cent of people with a university education said they would not get the vaccine, compared to 18 per cent of people who did not study beyond Year 12.

Potential side effects, concerns there has been inadequate testing of the vaccines and concerns about the possible long-term health effects were the key reasons women said they might not get a vaccine.

Men’s main concerns were around the amount of testing, possible side effects and long-term health concerns and 9 per cent said they were “not worried about catching COVID-19”.

Young South Australians were the most concerned about side effects and the potential long-term health impacts, as well as the amount of testing.