1. Introduction

You are invited to take part in this research study as the researchers would like to understand health workers’ perceptions and motivation in the implementation of the COVID-19 immunisation strategy in south western Sydney.

Please read this information carefully. Ask questions about anything that you don’t understand or want to know more about. Participation in this study is voluntary. If you don’t wish to take part, you don’t have to. Your decision whether to take part or not to take part, will not affect you, your relationship with your manager or your relationship with South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD).

If you decide you want to take part in the study, you will be provided with an anonymous survey. By completing the survey you are telling us that you understand what you have read, and consent to take part in the study.

2. What is the purpose of this research?

The purpose of this study is to describe the perception and motivations impacting the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out among health workers and others who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 1a or 1b in south western Sydney. The information collected from this study will allow the researchers to inform vaccination policy in SWSLHD.

3. What does participation in this research involve?

After you have received the vaccination, you will be required to remain in the clinic for an observation period (approximately 15 minutes). You will then be invited to participate in the study. If you would like to participate in this research, use your phone or an iPad to scan the appropriate QR code, which will link you to the study. You will be provided with an iPad to complete the survey.

There are two versions of the survey: one version for people who have just received their first dose of the vaccine and a different version for those receiving their second dose of the vaccine. The surveys include questions about your age range, gender, ethnic background and questions on your perception and motivations. The researchers will not be accessing your personal or health information. All information collected is anonymous.

4. What are the possible benefits of taking part?

There will be no clear benefit to you from your participation in this study. Your responses will assist SWSLHD to create more informed and effective policies, information campaigns and procedures to support the COVID-19 vaccination strategies. These measures are likely to increase vaccination uptake and improve public health.

5. What are the possible risks and disadvantages of taking part?

The surveys are short and will take no more than 5 minutes to complete. You may feel that some of the questions we ask are stressful or upsetting. If you do not wish to answer a question, you may skip it and go to the next question, or you may stop immediately. If you become upset or distressed as a result of your participation in the study, the research team will provide you with details for the SWSLHD Staff Wellness Program. This program is provided by qualified staff who are not members of the research team and this is provided free of charge.

6. What happens when the research project ends?

Your responses to the survey will be entirely anonymous and your contact details will not be collected during this study. This means that there will be no follow-up from participating in this study. You will not receive further information about the results of the study after it is completed.

7. What will happen to information about me?

Your responses to the survey will not be identifiable or able to be traced back to you in any way.

It is anticipated that the results of this study may be published and/or presented in a variety of forums. In any publication and/or presentation, your responses will not be identifiable in any way.

The anonymous responses that you provide to the survey may inform current or future research projects. The data will be stored in a password-protected network drive and only the research investigators will have access to it. After five years, the data will be deleted permanently.

8. Who is organising and funding the research?

This research project is being conducted by Professor Josephine Chow. No member of the research team will receive a personal financial benefit from your involvement in this study.

9. Who has reviewed the research project?

All research in Australia involving humans is reviewed by an independent group of people called a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). The ethical aspects of this research project have been approved by the HREC of SWSLHD. This project will be carried out according to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007). This statement has been developed to protect the interests of people who agree to participate in human research studies.

10. Further information and who to contact

The person you may need to contact will depend on the nature of your query.  If you want any further information concerning this study or if you have any problems which may be related to your involvement in the study, you can contact Megan Ford on 0404 832 231.

11. Complaints contact person

This study has been approved by the SWSLHD HREC. Any person with concerns or complaints about the conduct of this study should contact the Research and Ethics Office, Locked Bag 7279, LIVERPOOL BC NSW 1871 on 02 8738 8304 / fax 02 8738 8310 / email SWSLHD-ethics@health.nsw.gov.au, website: http://www.swslhd.nsw.gov.au/ethics/default.html and quote 2021/ETH00160.