One-third of Australians do not believe COVID-safe measures are important ahead of the holiday season.
New research conducted by Pfizer indicates that one-third of Australians do not believe that practising COVID-safe behaviours and keeping up to date with immunisation to protect against COVID-19 is important.
The COVID Community Sentiment Index, a quantitative research survey regularly commissioned by Pfizer Australia, canvassed Australians’ views on COVID-19 in November 2023. Results showed that one in three (33 per cent ) Australians do not think COVID safe measures, such as wearing masks, hand sanitisation and social distancing are important for protection against the disease.
One-third (34 per cent) also do not believe that staying up to date with vaccinations is important.1 Additionally, just under two-thirds of Australians (64%) do not think that new COVID-19 variants will have a significant impact on them in one year’s time.
Professor Robert Booy, Infectious Diseases Specialist, University of Sydney, is urging Australians to resist complacency ahead of the holiday season.
“As much as we would all like to forget about COVID-19, COVID-19 is not done with us. Evidence shows that the disease continues to evolve and have significant impact in our communities, especially those at higher risk of severe illness. With COVID-19 part of our new reality, we need to continue to embed some habits and measures to protect ourselves and our communities,” Professor Booy said.
The research also found that more than half (57 per cent) of older Australians, who are often at higher risk of severe disease, believe new variants of COVID-19 will not have a significant impact on them a year from now. In addition, one-third (31 per cent) of older Australians think that vaccinations will not be important for protection against COVID-19 one year for now.
“With many people travelling and gathering to celebrate the holiday season, it’s important to remember that COVID loves a crowd. Even though most healthy Australians are protected against severe COVID, there remain a few million vulnerable people who have not had an updated COVID-19 vaccination in the last six months. Taking precautions this Christmas is only sensible,” Professor Booy said.
