Researchers at ANU collected data from 3030 Australians between May and October of lsat year, and their results indicate that certain social and behavioural indicators are behind the reason young women were more hesitant about the vaccine, notably that they have a lack of trust in the government.
“It seems that young women, in particular, had less confidence in government and that was related to whether they were likely to get the vaccine or not,” said Professor Reynolds.
Regardless of gender, age or ethnicity, the researchers found that those with greater confidence in the government were more on board with the vaccination. Another important factor was whether people felt a sense of belonging in their neighbourhood, or felt they were instead being treated unfairly. “They give us some insights into things that are driving people’s decisions that are very much about social cohesion in the community of which confidence in the government forms part of that.”
While there remains a lot to be desired in terms of the government and the shocking allegations of sexual assault that have been brought against a number of people in positions of power, as far as the vaccine is concerned it’s important to remember that these vaccines have all undergone safety checks required of all medical vaccines. This is about protecting yourself and those around you from the coronavirus, something that, hopefully, goes above your feelings towards the government.