Aussies urged to share vaccine selfies amid fears thousands will refuse the jab – with 40 per cent of people in one state hesitant to get vaccinated
- Australians are being encouraged to share selfies when they get the vaccine
- Hopes it will boost confidence in those hesitant to get the Covid-19 jab
- A new poll showed 40 per cent of Queenslanders were unsure about getting it
- In the UK, majority of those in hospital in one virus-plagued city refused the jab
Australians are being encouraged to share their experiences online of getting a coronavirus jab as the federal government tackles vaccine hesitancy.
Health Minister Greg Hunt says people get the biggest boost of confidence from seeing others receive the vaccine.
It comes as a new poll showed 40 per cent of Queenslanders were hesitant to get the jab, despite evidence from overseas showing the vaccine is safe and efficient.
In the city of Bolton in the UK, the Indian variant is wreaking havoc and increasing hospitalisations – the majority of whom are eligible for the jab but chose not to get it.
‘As many Australians as possible to upload their photo – ‘this is me getting the jab’ or ‘I’ve had the vaccine’,’ he told radio 4BC on Wednesday.
The more people are vaccinated the less risk there would be of state border lockdowns, Mr Hunt said (pictured, a nurse being vaccinated in Melbourne)
‘As we see more and more people have it, then that actually builds an effect in terms of confidence.’
Mr Hunt’s proposal comes after a poll published by Nine Entertainment showed almost one in three Australian adults are unlikely to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was more interested in the 70 per cent of respondent who are keen to get the jab.
‘Let’s just get on with them,’ he said.
‘There’s plenty of time to have the chat with the others who are a bit hesitant … but there are others who are open to the conversation and we will have that.’
More than 3.2 million Australians have now received a COVID-19 vaccination, with the daily pace of the rollout increasing as the program expands.
It comes as a new poll showed 40 per cent of Queenslanders were hesitant to get the jab (pictured, a nurse gets the vaccine in Brisbane)
Mr Hunt said public health officials were constantly reviewing advertising campaigns for vaccines, and were also looking at new ways for leaders to talk about jab safety.
‘Although we’re safe we’re not immune,’ he said.
‘And the one thing that gives immunity is the vaccination.’
The more people are vaccinated the less risk there would be of state border lockdowns, Mr Hunt said.
The federal government is talking to the states about the possibility of allowing vaccinated Australians to move more freely should there be local lockdowns.
‘In America where they’ve had very significant restrictions in many states we’re seeing much greater freedom of movement for those that have had the vaccine,’ Mr Hunt said.
‘That’s an important model for Australia.’
The government continues to face criticism for not helping Australians stranded in coronavirus-ravaged India quicker.
The India travel ban lifted on Saturday and about 70 people have since returned to Australia, but there are still almost 10,000 people desperate to come back
Labor senator Penny Wong warned the coalition’s India travel ban would have long-lasting consequences.