Panel Aotearoa-New Zealand Public Attitudes and Intentions for COVID-19 Vaccination- March 2021-June 2021

Abstract

How have public intentions towards a COVID-19 vaccine shifted in New Zealand? New Zealanders’ intention to get a COVID-19 vaccine is at its highest since last year, at 81% of the adult population, according to our latest research. This finding is similar to the Ministry of Health surveys, which found potential uptake has increased to 80% in May, up from 77% in April and 69% in March this year.

Our longitudinal survey, conducted between March and May, shows an increase by six percentage points among those who will “definitely” take the vaccine to protect themselves and their communities, to 67% in May compared to 61% in March. Among Māori, we see a 10% increase among those “definitely” willing to be vaccinated, from 44% in March to 54% in May.

Yet challenges remain with low reach of the government's COVID-19 communication campaign among the public.

Read the full report or a summary of the report here: https://theconversation.com/four-in-five-new-zealanders-plan-to-get-vaccinated-but-many-people-want-more-information-about-vaccine-safety-164322

Full text

Aotearoa New Zealand Public Attitudes and Intentions
for COVID-19 Vaccination:
Panel Survey March 2021 and May 2021
Dr. Jagadish Thaker

Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 3
Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................... 4
1. Intention to Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19 .......................................................................... 6
2. Informational Needs among COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitants and Sceptics .................................... 9
3. Changes in Public Intentions between May-July 2020 to February-March 2021..................... 10
4. Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign ...................................................................... 11
5. COVID-19 Safety Behaviours ..................................................................................................... 12
6. Self-Efficacy to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine ................................................................................... 13
7. Impact of Misinformation and Misinformation Correction Information on COVID-19 Vaccine
Intentions ...................................................................................................................................... 14
Survey Method .............................................................................................................................. 16
Sample Demographics .................................................................................................................. 17
References .................................................................................................................................... 18

Introduction
Aotearoa-New Zealand Public Attitudes and Intentions for COVID-19 Vaccination: Panel
Survey between March and May 2021
This report is based on findings from a national survey conducted by the School of
Communication, Journalism & Marketing—Te Pou Aro Kōrero, Massey University and fielded
by Qualtrics. See Survey Method below for more information.
Research Lead
Jagadish Thaker (JT), PhD
School of Communication, Journalism & Marketing | Te Pou Aro Kōrero
Massey Business School | Kaupapa Whai Pakihi
Massey University | Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa
Cite as
Thaker, J. (2021). Aotearoa-New Zealand Public Attitudes and Intentions for COVID-19
Vaccination: Panel Survey between March 2021 and May 2021. Wellington, New Zealand:
Massey University.

Executive Summary
1. Uptick in COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions
• There is a six-percentage point increase among the New Zealand respondents who will
‘definitely’ take COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves in May 2021 (67%) compared
to March 2021 (61%)
• However, those who say ‘No, definitely not’ continues to be relatively steady in May
(8%) compared to March (9%)
• The increase in COVID-19 vaccination intentions is evident across gender, age,
education, and ethnicity
• Among Māori respondents, there is a 10% increase in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance:
54% say they will ‘Yes, definitely’ take the vaccine in May compared to 44% in March
2021
• There is a 13% increase among Asians: 72% in May 2021 say they will ‘Yes, definitely’
take the vaccine compared to 59% in March 2021
• Among European-New Zealanders, there is a minor 4% increase for ‘Yes, definitely’ to
get vaccinated from 64% in March 2021 to 68% in May 2021
• There is only a very small change in intentions to get a COVID-19 vaccine if it meant
protecting friends, family or at-risk groups
2. Informational Needs among COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitant and Sceptics
• Need for more vaccine safety data (38%) was the most frequently cited informational
need both in March and May 2021
• Need for information from the government almost doubled from 18% in March to 30% in
May 2021
• There was a sharp decline in the need to see other people take the vaccine first, from 21%
in March to 8% in May 2021
3. Exposure to Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign
• Less than half, only about 4 in 10, have often or very often heard about the government’s
COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the last one month on TV
• Less than a third (27%) have heard it often or very often on radio, newspapers, and on
social media
4. COVID-19 Safety Behaviours
• There is a decline in following COVID-19 safety behaviours, with the largest decline in
mask wearing in public from 64% who always, often, sometimes wear a mask in March
2021 to 50% in May 2021

5. Self-Efficacy to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine
• A majority of New Zealanders perceive high self-efficacy and locus of control about
COVID-19 vaccination
6. Impact of Misinformation and Misinformation Correction Information on COVID-19
Vaccine Intentions
• A minor positive impact of exposure to misinformation correction and a minor negative
impact of exposure to misinformation on COVID-19 vaccine intentions
• After viewing the misinformation correction video, 66% say ‘Yes, definitely’ to taking a
COVID-19 vaccine compared to 62% among those who watched the misinformation
video
• Among those who watched the misinformation correction video followed by
misinformation, 63% say ‘Yes, definitely’ to taking a COVID-19 vaccine compared to
64% among those who watched the misinformation video first followed by
misinformation correction video

1. Intention to Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19
There is a six-percentage point increase among the New Zealand respondents who will
‘definitely’ take COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves in May 2021 (67%) compared to
March 2021 (61%).
There is a slight decrease among those who were ‘Unsure, but leaning towards YES’ in May
(16%) compared to March (19%). Four in ten (42%) of those who were ‘Unsure, but leaning
towards YES’ to get the vaccine in March shifted to ‘Yes, definitely’ in May 2021.
Similarly, there is a slight decline among ‘Unsure, but leaning towards NO’ in May (10%) than
March (12%). A majority of such respondents shifted towards ‘Unsure, but leaning towards
YES’ (26%) and few also shifted to ‘Yes, definitely’ (14%).
However, those who say ‘No, definitely not’ continues to be relatively steady in May (8%)
compared to March (9%).
56
22
12 10
61
19
12 9
67
16
10 8
0
35
70
Yes, definitely Unsure, but leaning towards YES Unsure, but leaning towards NO No, definitely not
Intentions to get COVID-19 Vaccine between March 2021 and May 2021
March 2021 Complete sample (N=1083) March 2021 Panel (n=650) May 2021 Panel (n=650)

Among Māori respondents, there is a ten-percentage point increase in COVID-19 vaccine
acceptance: 54% say they ‘Yes, definitely’ to takeing a vaccine in May compared to 44% in
March 2021. Similarly, there is a 13% increase among Asians: 72% in May 2021 say they will
‘Yes, definitely’ take the vaccine compared to 59%.
Among European-New Zealanders, there is a four-point increase for ‘Yes, definitely’ to get
vaccinated from 64% in March to 68% in May 2021.
Among Pasifika, over half say they want to get vaccinated (‘Yes, definitely’, 52% in March and
May). There is a decrease among those who say ‘No, definitely not’ from 20% in March to 13%
in May 2021 but because the sample size is so low, these results are less reliable and are given
here only as an indication.
Men (66% March – 71% May 2021) and women (55% March – 62% May 2021) were more
willing to get a COVID-19 vaccine although men were more likely to say ‘Yes, definitely’ to a
vaccine in both the surveys.
Across all education categories, there was an increase among those who say ‘Yes, definitely’ to
get a COVID-19 vaccine: No qualification (47% March – 53% May 2021), school qualification
(58% March – 64% May 2021), tertiary diplomas/certificates (57% March – 62% May 2021),
and Bachelors degree or higher qualification (68% March – 75% May 2021).
92%
42%
15% 11%
6%
47%
26%
4%
1%
8%
49%
21%
1% 3%
11%
64%
0%
50%
100%
Yes, definitely (March 2021) Unsure, but leaning towards YES
(March 2021)
Unsure, but leaning towards NO
(March 2021)
No, definitely not (March 2021)
Change in COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions March-May 2021
Yes, definitely (May 2021) Unsure, but leaning towards YES (May 2021)
Unsure, but leaning towards NO (May 2021) No, definitely not (May 2021)

There is only a very small change in intentions to get a COVID-19 vaccine if it meant protecting
friends, family or at-risk groups: ‘Yes, definitely’ (68% March – 70% May 2021), ‘Unsure, but
leaning towards Yes’ (17% March – 16% May 2021), ‘Unsure, but leaning towards No’ (11%
March – 10% May 2021), ‘No, definitely not’ (5% March – 4% May 2021).
64%
68%
17% 15%
11%
9% 8% 8%
44%
54%
25%
20%
17% 14% 15% 11%
59%
72%
24%
16% 11%
8% 6% 5%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Mar-21 May-21 Mar-21 May-21 Mar-21 May-21 Mar-21 May-21
Yes, definitely Unsure, but leaning towards YES Unsure, but leaning towards NO No, definitely not
Change in COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions between March and
May 2021 by Ethnicity European NZ Māori Asian

2. Informational Needs among COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitants and Sceptics
Among those who are hesitant or sceptical, when asked what information they need to change
their mind, more vaccine safety data was the most frequently cited informational need both in
March and May 2021 surveys.
Need for information from the government almost doubled from 18% in March 2021 to 30% in
May 2021.
There was no change in need for their doctor to tell vaccine is safe.
There was a sharp decline in the need to see other people take the vaccine first, from 21% in
March to 8% in May 2021.
30%
18% 19%
21%
5%
7%
29% 30%
20%
8%
6%
7%
0%
15%
30%
Need more vaccine
safety data
Need more
information from the
government
Need my doctor to
tell me that vaccine is
safe
Need to see other
people take the
vaccine first
Need my trusted
family member or a
friend to tell me more
about vaccination
Other
What information would you need to change your mind on a COVID-19 vaccine?
Mar-21 May-21

3. Changes in Public Intentions between May-July 2020 to February-
March 2021
COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions slightly Increased from 78% to 81% among Panel
Respondents
74 75 78 81
26 25 22 19
0
50
100
June-July 2020 (N=1041) Feb-March 2021 (N=1083) Feb-March 2021 Panel (n=650) May 2021 Panel (n=650)
Intention to get COVID-19 between June 2020-May 2021
Yes No

4. Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign
Less than half, only about 4 in 10, have often or very often heard about the government’s
COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the last one month.
Less than a third (27%) have heard it often or very often on radio, newspapers, and on social
media.
19
33
43 42
38
39
30 31
28
17 20 19
15 10 8 8
0
50
100
TV Radio Newspapers Social media
Heard government's COVID-19 vaccination communication
campaign Not at all Sometimes Often Very often

5. COVID-19 Safety Behaviours
Decline in Following COVID-19 Safety Behaviours
The largest decline is in mask wearing, from 64% who either always, often, sometimes wear a
mask in public to protect themselves and others from getting sick in March 2021 to 50% in May
2021.
78
73
64 65
76
66
50
62
0
50
100
Used contact tracing app to
record your visits to office,
supermarkets and other venues
Encouraged family and friends
to use contact tracing app to
record their visits to
supermarkets and other venues
Wore a mask in public to help
protect yourself or others from
getting sick
Self-isolated at home when not
feeling well
COVID-19 Safety Behaviours between March and May 2021
Always/Often/Sometimes (March 2021) Always/Often/Sometimes (May 2021)

6. Self-Efficacy to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine
A Majority of New Zealanders Perceive High Self-Efficacy and Locus of Control about
COVID-19 Vaccination
93
7
4
16
11
23
28
45
54
0
50
100
I am confident I will get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it
is available in my area
Whether I could get a COVID-19 vaccine is up to me
Social Efficacy and Locus of Control May 2021
Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Neither Somewhat agree Strongly agree

7. Impact of Misinformation and Misinformation Correction Information
on COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions
A Minor Positive Impact of Exposure to Misinformation Correction
The respondents were randomly selected (proportional to gender, age, ethnicity quotas) to see the
following videos:
(1) Misinformation correction: Dr Rawiri Jansen’s video from the Facebook page of the Ministry
of Health highlighting the spread of misinformation and safety compliance of vaccines
(2) Misinformation: Sue Grey’s video highlighting safety concerns and threats to informed
consent
(3) Misinformation correction followed by Misinformation
(4) Misinformation followed by Misinformation Correction
(5) Control group assigned to sort random things
After viewing the misinformation correction video, 66% say ‘Yes, definitely’ to taking a
COVID-19 vaccine compared to 62% among those who watched the misinformation video.
Among those who watched the misinformation correction video followed by misinformation,
63% say ‘Yes, definitely’ to taking a COVID-19 vaccine compared to 64% among those who
watched the misinformation video first followed by misinformation correction video.

62%
66% 63% 64% 63%
19%
15%
19% 19% 19%
9% 10% 12% 9% 10%
9% 9% 6% 7% 8%
0%
50%
Misinformation Misinformation
correction
Correction +
Misinformation
Misinformation +
Correction
Control
Impact of Misinformation and Misinformation Correction on
COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions
Yes, definitely Unsure, but leaning towards YES
Unsure, but leaning towards NO No, definitely not

Survey Method
The data in this report are based on a scientific panel sample of 650 respondents from the initial
sample of 1083 New Zealand adults, aged 18 and older, conducted by the School of
Communication, Journalism & Marketing—Te Pou Aro Kōrero. The reinterview response rate
was 60%. Data was collected by Qualtrics. The survey was conducted between February 15 to
March 6, 2021 and the follow-up survey was conducted between April 30 to May 23 2021.
Compared to the complete sample in March 2021, the follow-up panel survey composed of
slightly more older respondents (66 years and above), European New Zealanders, and fewer
Māori. The sample composition was similar on gender, education, and annual income between
the two waves.
The questionnaires were self-administered in a web-based environment. The survey took about
22 minutes on average to complete.
The survey instrument was designed by Dr. Jagadish Thaker (JT). The author would like to
acknowledge help from Drs. Erika Pearson, Ming Li, Nitha Palakshappa, Vishnu Menon from
the School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing, Massey University for funding the
survey. John Hilbert helped with the design of the cover page.
Average margins of error, at the 95% confidence level, for wave 1 was plus or minus 3
percentage points.
Percentages in a given chart may total slightly higher or lower than 100% due to rounding error.

Sample Demographics
(Full sample, March 2021)
(Panel, May 2021)
Total
N = 1083
%
n = 650
%
Gender
Female
552
51
324
50
Male
531
49
326
50
Age
18-25
155
14
53
8
26-35
215
20
115
18
36-45
174
16
81
13
46-55
193
18
138
21
56-65
162
15
110
17
66 and above
184
17
153
24
Education
No qualification
87
8
45
7
School qualification
286
26
177
27
Tertiary diplomas/Certificates
335
31
199
31
Bachelor’s degree or higher
375
35
229
35
Ethnicity
European New Zealander
689
64
457
70
Māori
175
16
69
11
Pasifika
43
4
25
4
Asian or Another
176
16
99
15
Annual income
Less than $19,999
208
19
121
19
$20,000 to $39,999
261
24
164
25
$40,000 to $59,999
197
18
124
19
$60,000 to $79,999
184
17
110
17
$80,000 to $99,999
94
9
63
10
$100,000 to $119,999
66
6
30
5
$120,000 or above
66
6
34
5

References
Further reading:
Bloomfield, A. (2021). COVID-19, 20, 21: Lessons from New Zealand’s 2020 response for 2021
and beyond. The New Zealand Medical Journal (Online), 134(1529), 7–9.
Loomba, S., de Figueiredo, A., Piatek, S. J., de Graaf, K., & Larson, H. J. (2021). Measuring the
impact of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on vaccination intent in the UK and USA.
Nature Human Behaviour, 5(3), 337–348. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-021-01056-1
Menon, V., & Thaker, J. (2020). Aotearoa New Zealand public attitudes to COVID-19 vaccine.
Massey University.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343787229_Aotearoa_New_Zealand_Public_A
ttitudes_to_COVID-19_Vaccine
Ministry of Health. (2021, February 17). COVID-19: Vaccine research insights. Ministry of
Health NZ. https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-
novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccine-research-insights
Thaker, J. (2021a). Audience segmentation of COVID-19 vaccination intentions in Aotearoa-
New Zealand. Massey University. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.30203.23841
Thaker, J. (2021b). The persistence of vaccine hesitancy: Covid-19 vaccination intention in new
zealand. Journal of Health Communication, 0(0), 1–8.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2021.1899346
Thaker, J. (2020c). Aotearoa New Zealand Public Attitudes and Intentions for COVID-19
Vaccination: March 2021. Massey University.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350370255_Aotearoa_New_Zealand_Public_A
ttitudes_and_Intentions_for_COVID-19_Vaccination_March_2021