A survey of greater than 7,700 healthcare staff (HCWs) in 12 international locations in 2022 and 2023 finds that respondents agreed that COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are protected, efficient, and helpful, but 1 in 5 reported reasonable or robust COVID vaccine hesitation.
For the research, revealed in Public Well being, a workforce led by researchers from the World Federation of Public Well being Associations in Geneva surveyed 7,793 HCWs via the net platform SurveyMonkey from October 2022 to April 2023. Contributors had a median age of 44 years, and 68% have been girls. The 12 international locations have been Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, the US, and the UK.
The research authors famous that vaccine reluctance was detected worldwide earlier than the pandemic, however the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines has considerably worsened the difficulty. “Reluctant HCWs not solely put their very own well-being and that of their sufferers in danger, but in addition undermine confidence in vaccines, resulting in decrease vaccination protection amongst sufferers and communities,” they wrote.
84% say COVID vaccine advantages outweigh dangers
Whereas HCWs agreed that the COVID-19 and flu vaccines have been protected (89%), efficient (92%), and helpful (92%), 21% mentioned they have been reasonably or strongly reluctant to obtain COVID vaccination. Variations by nation accounted for six% of worldwide variance in change in vaccine sentiment (ChVS) and hesitation to obtain COVID-19 vaccines (CoVH). Many individuals believed that pharmaceutical companies (67%) and public well being officers (64%) minimized the vaccines’ unwanted effects.Â
When it comes to COVID-19 vaccines, 89% of respondents had acquired three or 4 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, and 72% wished one other dose, if advisable by well being officers.Â
In whole, 84% agreed that the advantages of the COVID-19 vaccine outweigh the dangers, and 88% mentioned the vaccine is efficient in lowering extreme illness. Whereas 80% indicated that youngsters and adolescents needs to be vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19, solely 61% agreed with giving the vaccination to pregnant girls, and 66% would assist necessary COVID-19 vaccination for HCWs.Â
Total, 84% of individuals mentioned that it was vital for group/non secular/cultural leaders and conventional healers to strengthen constructive messages about COVID-19 vaccination, and 92% believed that easy accessibility to the vaccination is vital to growing COVID-19 vaccination.
Relating to flu vaccination, 42% of HCWs have been vaccinated earlier than the pandemic, whereas 23% have been vaccinated some years, 55% have been vaccinated within the winter season earlier than the survey, and 57% deliberate to be vaccinated the following winter.Â
In cross-tabulations of flu, 94% of HCWs have been vaccinated earlier than the pandemic and 90% of these vaccinated within the final winter additionally deliberate to be vaccinated the following winter.Â
Components similar to academic attainment, worry of COVID-19 an infection, data of COVID-19 vaccines, CoVH degree, flu vaccination habits, and basic confidence in vaccines have been vital influences on ChVS. Occupation, flu vaccination habits, worry of COVID-19, and primary info sources influenced CoVH.
Worry of unwanted effects, ready for extra knowledge
“Generally, the COVID-19 pandemic appears not having influenced attitudes in the direction of vaccination (76%); furthermore, it elevated confidence within the well being system of the nation of origin (64%) and in vaccine security (66%), with 73% stating that any longer they might pay extra consideration to updating their vaccination schedule normally,” the researchers wrote.
There’s a want for tailor-made, nation-specific methods to deal with vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccine confidence amongst HCWs.
Requested about COVID-19 vaccine reluctance, 79% of HCWs thought of themselves not hesitant, 9% reasonably hesitant, and 12% strongly hesitant. The most typical causes for COVID-19 uptake included the idea that they prevented an infection, wanting to guard themselves or household, working in a occupation with a excessive threat of an infection, and social accountability towards high-risk folks.Â
The most typical causes for COVID-19 refusal included have been worry of unwanted effects, having had COVID-19 up to now and contemplating vaccination not vital, ready for additional efficacy and security trial knowledge, believing they weren’t in danger for extreme COVID-19, and believing that COVID-19 was not a critical illness.Â
“Particular person elements performed a serious function in figuring out change in vaccine sentiment and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, however they are often modulated by different contextual parts on the nation degree,” the research authors wrote. “There’s a want for tailor-made, nation-specific methods to deal with vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccine confidence amongst HCWs.”
