Table 3 Information seeking behaviours and willingness to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccine among study participants

Estimated knowledge

Estimated knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines (0–100)

75.04 ± 22.54

60.50 ± 28.70

72.35 ± 24.39

-2.901^a

 < 0.01*

Confidence score

The COVID-19 vaccines used in Australia are effective in protecting us

4.35 ± 0.73

3.65 ± 1.00

4.22 (0.83)

-4.308^a

 < 0.01*

The COVID-19 vaccines used in Australia are safe

4.22 ± 0.82

3.60 ± 1.01

4.10 ± 0.89

-3.757^a

 < 0.01*

Total

4.28 ± 0.70

3.63 ± 0.90

4.16 ± 0.78

-4.390^a

 < 0.01*

Risk perception score

COVID-19 is a serious health problem around the world

4.56 ± 0.75

4.03 ± 1.00

4.46 ± 0.83

-3.516^a

 < 0.01*

COVID-19 is a serious health problem in Australia

4.36 ± 0.83

4.08 ± 0.87

4.31 ± 0.84

-2.090^a

0.04*

I'm at risk of getting COVID-19

3.59 ± 1.09

3.49 ± 1.25

3.57 ± 1.12

-0.395^a

0.69

If I get COVID-19 I could be seriously ill

3.81 ± 1.01

3.74 ± 0.94

3.80 ± 1.00

-0.534^a

0.59

Total

4.08 ± 0.66

3.84 ± 0.60

4.03 ± 0.83

-2.394^a

0.02*

Trust

I trust the Australian government recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines

4.29 ± 0.83

3.73 ± 1.04

4.18 ± 0.89

-3.560^a

 < 0.01*

Used official Australian information channel

Yes

147 (83.1%)

34 (82.9%)

181 (83.0%)

 < 0.001^b

0.99

No

30 (16.9%)

7 (17.1%)

37 (17.0%)

Used official home country information channel

Yes

33 (18.6%)

11 (26.8%)

44 (20.2%)

1.384^b

0.24

No

144 (81.4%)

30 (73.1%)

174 (79.8%)

Used unofficial information channel

Yes

145 (81.9%)

31 (75.6%)

176 (80.7%)

0.852^b

0.36

No

32 (18.1%)

10 (24.4%)

42 (19.3%)

In recent months, I have heard some news about COVID-19 vaccines that made me confident

True

137 (78.7%)

21 (51.2%)

158 (73.5%)

12.895^b

 < 0.01*

False

37 (21.3%)

20 (49.8%)

57 (27.5%)

In recent months, I have heard some news about COVID-19 vaccines that made me concerned

True

65 (36.9%)

28 (68.3%)

93 (43.9%)

13.355^b

 < 0.01*

False

111 (63.1%)

13 (31.7%)

124 (57.1%)