PROJECT
Coronavax
About the project
Australians were offered a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect their families against coronavirus, and to build an effective COVID-19 vaccination program, researchers needed to develop knowledge around the best way to communicate with the public about new vaccines and policies.
Coronavax used qualitative interviews and social media analysis to explore Western Australians’ concerns, motivations and information needs regarding COVID-19 vaccination. A summary of findings from the Coronavax Project was communicated with State and Commonwealth Government employees and stakeholders through a series of open discussions. These sessions aimed to shape the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, ensuring important community concerns were taken into account.
This project was a joint initiative of The University of Western Australia, home to the VaxPol Lab, and the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, based at The Kids Institute Australia.
Our aim
The project aimed to build dialogue between the community and government to uncover the conditions necessary for high uptake of the vaccine.
Our collaborators and funding partners
Publications
- 2025 Publications
- 2024 Publications
- 2023 Publications
- 2022 Publications
- 2021 Publications
COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report
On 21 September 2023, Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese MP announced an independent inquiry into Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Coronavax team's paper, titled "COVID-19 vaccine Mandates: An Australian attitudinal study", was cited several times in the report (References 1080, 1081, and Glossary 4192).
Policy Brief on Vaccine Mandates
Between 2021 and 2023, the Coronavax research team investigated public attitudes and experiences with COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Western Australia. They used qualitative interviews, focus groups, and weekly social media monitoring (until February 2022) to identify factors for a successful vaccine rollout, sharing real-time insights with the government.
Projects
News
Study examines spread of COVID vaccine information online
A UWA study has established how rumours of alleged adverse events were spread around the world during the first months of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out.
Read moreWe need to go easy on COVID vaccine coercion to get doubters back in the mainstream
Perth will reopen by hook or by crook and only the unvaccinated will shift further into the shadowy economy of exclusion
Read moreCOVID vaccine mandate prompts SES volunteers in WA like Nathan Foster to walk away
Nathan Foster has resigned from all three of his volunteer roles over WA's vaccine mandate
Read moreQuashing COVID-19 vaccine misinformation in culturally diverse communities
Vaccine hesitancy has been a big issue in multicultural communities
Read moreWA has been at war for 18 months, so a post-COVID life could be a tough sell
For the past 18 months West Australians have been fighting a war for a normal life unimpeded by a tiny but devastating enemy: COVID-19
Read moreContact us
If you have any questions, please contact the study staff by emailing
coronavax@uwa.edu.au
