Coronavirus outbreaks have 'significantly reduced' vaccine hesitancy

By Tara Blancato

Coronavirus outbreaks have helped reduce vaccine hesitancy across Australia, with more people willing to get the jab amid surges in case numbers.

The outbreaks in New South Wales and Victoria had "significantly reduced" the rate of vaccine hesitancy, a report by the Melbourne Institute found.

The 2021 Vaccine Hesitancy Report Card showed Australia's vaccine hesitancy plummeted from 33 per cent at the end of May, to 21.5 per cent of the adult population as of July 23.

NSW had the lowest rate of vaccine hesitancy at 14.6 per cent, down from 32.9 per cent at the end of May.

Report author Professor Anthony Scott told 9news.com.au the outbreaks had prompted people to rethink their views on vaccination.

"People get vaccinated for different reasons," he said.

Personal safety ... but also getting out of lockdown more quickly.

"People think, 'if we want to get out of this we have to get vaccinated'.

"Outbreaks are changing peoples' minds who were previously uncertain or unsure.

"There is evidence that the number of those who are unwilling to get vaccinated has fallen as well."

The fall in hesitancy was across all age groups and states.