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Published on: December 1, 2017
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination uptake among healthcare workers
Mayan Gilboa1,2, Ilana Tal2,3, Einav G Levin2,3
1Infectious Disease Unit, Sheba Medical Centre, Israel.
Insights
Healthcare workers (HCWs) showed good COVID-19 vaccine uptake, but hesitancy was noted among young women and lower socioeconomic groups. Concerns about pregnancy safety were a key reason for noncompliance.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Healthcare workers (HCWs) play a critical role in public health and pandemic response.
- Understanding vaccination compliance among HCWs is crucial for maintaining healthcare system resilience during infectious disease outbreaks.
- The BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was introduced to combat the global pandemic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reasons behind noncompliance with COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers.
- To identify demographic and behavioral factors associated with vaccine uptake in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort observational and surveillance study was conducted at a large tertiary-care medical center.
- Two surveys were administered: one pre-vaccine rollout assessing intent and another post-rollout evaluating reasons for hesitancy among unvaccinated HCWs.
- Data on vaccine uptake, demographics, and prior influenza vaccination compliance were collected for 10,888 HCWs.
Main Results:
- Overall COVID-19 vaccine uptake among HCWs reached 79% within 40 days.
- Significant predictors of vaccine uptake included male sex, age 40-59, specific occupations (paramedical professionals, doctors), higher socioeconomic status, and prior influenza vaccine compliance.
- Among unvaccinated HCWs, the primary reason for hesitancy was perceived risk during pregnancy (31%).
Conclusions:
- While COVID-19 vaccine uptake among HCWs exceeded expectations, lower rates were observed in young women and individuals from lower socioeconomic and educational backgrounds.
- Addressing concerns about vaccine safety, particularly during pregnancy, is essential to improve vaccination compliance.
- Targeted strategies may be needed to enhance vaccine acceptance in specific subgroups of HCWs.
Objective:
To assess reasons for noncompliance with COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs).
Design:
Cohort observational and surveillance study.
Setting:
Sheba Medical Center, a 1,600-bed tertiary-care medical center in Israel.
Participants:
The study included 10,888 HCWs including all employees, students, and volunteers.
Intervention:
The BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was offered to all HCWs of the hospital. Noncompliance was assessed, and pre-rollout and post-rollout surveys were conducted. Data regarding uptake of the vaccine as well as demographic data and compliance with prior influenza vaccination were collected, and 2 surveys were distributed. The survey before the rollout pertained to the intention to receive the vaccine, and the survey after the rollout pertained to all unvaccinated HCWs regarding causes of hesitancy.
Results:
In the pre-rollout survey, 1,673 (47%) of 3,563 HCWs declared their intent to receive the vaccine. Overall, 8,108 (79%) HCWs received the COVID-19 vaccine within 40 days of rollout. In a multivariate logistic regression model, the factors that were significant predictors of vaccine uptake were male sex, age 40-59 years, occupation (paramedical professionals and doctors), high socioeconomic level, and compliance with flu vaccine. Among 425 unvaccinated HCWs who answered the second survey, the most common cause for hesitancy was the risk during pregnancy (31%).
Conclusions:
Although vaccine uptake among HCWs was higher than expected, relatively low uptake was observed among young women and those from lower socioeconomic levels and educational backgrounds. Concerns regarding vaccine safety during pregnancy were common and more data about vaccine safety, especially during pregnancy, might improve compliance.
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