Home

Coronavirus WA: Telethon Kids Institute, UWA research COVID-19 vaccine concerns for children

Angela PownallThe West Australian
Researchers hard at work in laboratory at the Telethon Kids Institute.
Camera IconResearchers hard at work in laboratory at the Telethon Kids Institute. Credit: The West Australian

WA parents will take part in new research that will help prepare Australia for a widespread roll-out of a coronavirus vaccine.

As scientists race to find an effective vaccine for COVID-19, researchers from the Telethon Kids Institute and the University of WA will investigate parents’ attitudes and concerns about immunising their children against the virus.

The research will also look into how a coronavirus vaccine could be delivered to children, alongside routine childhood immunisations.

Telethon Kids Institute Director Jonathan Carapetis.
Camera IconTelethon Kids Institute Director Jonathan Carapetis. Credit: The West Australian

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Associate Professor Chris Blyth said it was important that a vaccine, when developed, was delivered to people quickly and the research would help the community prepare for that.

He said there was always a risk that people would not want to have a new vaccine, or give it to their children.

“We need to understand what their concerns and thoughts are about this so that we can be ready to roll it out as quickly as we can,” he said.

The $100,000 Coronavax project, which is being funded by Wesfarmers, will interview 60 parents of young children, parents of primary school age children with at least one health condition and vaccine hesitant parents.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails