Coronavirus outbreaks have 'significantly reduced' vaccine hesitancy

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.

READ MORE: Greater Sydney lockdown extended for four weeks

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.

READ MORE: Calls ramp up for $10m vaccine lottery to fix slow rollout

However, high rates of vaccine hesitancy persisted among the 18-44 age group (28.8 per cent) even during the outbreaks, including Queensland at 30.9 per cent.

The report found 9.7 per cent of Australian adults were still unsure about getting vaccinated as of July 23, a drop from 15 per cent at the end of May.

Meanwhile, 11.8 per cent of adults still remain unwilling to get vaccinated, compared to 18 per cent at the end of May.

People who were unsure about getting vaccinated would be the most likely to be affected by vaccination campaigns.

Professor Scott said a single set of messaging from medical professionals was needed to spruik vaccination.

"We need to get our professionals out there in these campaigns," Professor Scott said.

"People are less likely to listen to celebrities and politicians."

READ MORE: High-risk Year 12 students to be vaccinated

He also called for governments to take an active approach in targeting communities, but admitted supply was still an issue.

"TV ads aren't enough, you know - where are the vaccine buses driving into communities providing vaccinations and information?"

The rare side effect of blood clots linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine had impacted hesitancy, Professor Scott said.

"People do have a strong preference for Pfizer than AstraZeneca," he said.

"Any vaccine is better than no vaccine. People should just go out and get what they can."