A new poll by research firm RedBridge, obtained by the Herald Sun, reveals the risk of blood clots is the leading reason Victorians over 50 are not booking in for COVID-19 jabs.Among those over 70 who are not vaccinated, 22 per cent blamed limited appointment availability, compared with 31 per cent who were worried about blood clots.There have been 24 clot cases linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine so far out of 2.1 million doses in Australia. A 48-year-old woman died, while all others are recovering.The poll of 2,019 Victorians, conducted this month found a quarter aged 18 to 50 were satisfied with the vaccine rollout so far, compared with 56 per cent of those aged over 70.With the border set to remain shut for another year, younger Victorians are more likely to support a quicker reopening and the return of Australians stranded overseas.Just 22 per cent of Victorians over 70 said people should be allowed to come home from high-risk countries such as India and the US, while 44 per cent of those aged 18 to 50 wanted the government to let those Australians return.But Victorians are united on the need for a quick vaccination program to secure the economic recovery and in their concern about the impact of international restrictions. RedBridge director Kosmos Samaras, a former Victorian Labor assistant secretary, said the survey’s nuanced questions found Victorians largely shared “grave concerns about the economic impact of international border closures”.HS Covid Polls“This should not surprise decision makers, given well over half of all Victorians have a direct family connection to someone overseas,” he said.Asked when they would be comfortable for international travel to recommence, 29 per cent of Victorians said it should happen now with no restrictions or to places without mass infections.Overall, 31.1 per cent wanted the border to remain closed until 80 per cent of the population was vaccinated, 13.4 per cent wanted to wait until half the population was vaccinated and 18.4 per cent preferred to open up when all vulnerable people were vaccinated.Six out of 10 Victorians over 70 said the availability of COVID-19 vaccines had been good or very good, while younger Victorians were less pleased with supply levels.The majority of older Victorians were also happy with communication about the rollout, compared with 41 per cent aged 18 to 50 who said it was poor or very poor.Among those who nominated social media as their trusted vaccine information source, an alarming 59 per cent had no plans to get the jab.Half the population aged over 70 has now received at least one dose.Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was “not overly troubled” by the number of people who were hesitant, saying authorities were focused on those who wanted the jab and there was “plenty of time to have the chat with the others”. According to the poll, those most worried about bloods clots were more likely to rely on media reports and family and friends than health experts for information.Mr Samaras said 41 per cent of Victorians aged 50 to 70 – who are eligible to be vaccinated – were confused about their eligibility or unsure how to make an appointment.Victorians were also overwhelmingly against financial incentives to encourage people to be vaccinated.
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