COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: a unique set of challenges.

The global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has seen a revolution in both vaccine development and approval processes enabling life-saving vaccines to be implemented at record speed. The resultant vaccines, implemented in Australia under provisional licensure, have used vaccine technologies not used before in Australia. Australia and New Zealand, for much of the pandemic, have been spared the high rates of COVID-19 disease seen elsewhere. Implementing COVID-19 vaccination programs at an entire adult population level has been a complex, evolving series of programs, with recommendations and strategies responding to community confidence, concerns and rare but potentially severe post-licensure adverse events. Understanding our diverse community and their concerns, incentivising immunisation, and responding openly to emergent concerns are key components to maintaining community and health care provider confidence in this critical ongoing COVID-19 vaccine program. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.