he reasons people choose not to be vaccinated are complex and there are sub-groups with different perspectives. Broadly, both groups perceive vaccination as a matter for individual decision making. The anti-COVID-19 vaccination movement promotes personal choice an inalienable right, while arguing that the vaccine is more dangerous than the disease. This may influence fence sitters who are enacting the right to choose without being tied to any particular philosophy regarding the rights of individuals versus the needs of the community.
Individual decision making in these two key groups is informed by the legacy of Australia’s messy start to the COVID-19 vaccination. For many months, the government’s messaging around vaccination was variable and lacked any sense of urgency. Meanwhile, the only readily available vaccine had a well-publicised side-effect rap sheet.
Unconvinced about the need for vaccination, dubious about vaccine safety, and each left to their own decision-making logic, those against vaccination and the fence sitters are locked into positions of abject rejection or disinclination, respectively.