scholarly journals A Comparison of the Level of Acceptance and Hesitancy towards the Influenza Vaccine and the Forthcoming COVID-19 Vaccine in the Medical Community

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 475
Author(s):  
Magdalena Grochowska ◽  
Aleksandra Ratajczak ◽  
Gabriela Zdunek ◽  
Aleksander Adamiec ◽  
Paweł Waszkiewicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Public Opinion Surveys ◽  
Influenza Vaccinations ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Global Population ◽  
Preliminary Description

Despite research conducted worldwide, there is no treatment specifically targeting SARS-CoV-2 infection with efficacy proven by randomized controlled trials. A chance for a breakthrough is vaccinating most of the global population. Public opinion surveys on vaccine hesitancy prompted our team to investigate Polish healthcare workers’ (HCWs) attitudes towards the SARS-CoV-2 and influenza vaccinations. In-person and online surveys of HCWs: doctors, nurses, medical students, and other allied health professionals (n = 419) were conducted between 14 September 2020 and 5 November 2020. In our study, 68.7% of respondents would like to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccinations would persuade 86.3% of hesitant and those who would refuse to be vaccinated. 3.1% of all respondents claimed that no argument would convince them to get vaccinated. 61.6% of respondents declared a willingness to receive an influenza vaccination, of which 83.3% were also inclined to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. Although most respondents—62.5% (262/419) indicated they trusted in the influenza vaccine more, more respondents intended to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in the 2020/2021 season. The study is limited by its nonrandom sample of HCWs but provides a preliminary description of attitudes towards SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

scholarly journals Adenovirus and RNA-based COVID-19 vaccines’ perceptions and acceptance among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia: a national survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e048586
Author(s):  
Mohamad-Hani Temsah ◽  
Mazin Barry ◽  
Fadi Aljamaan ◽  
Abdullah Alhuzaimi ◽  
Ayman Al-Eyadhy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Vectored Vaccine ◽  
To Receive

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare the perception, confidence, hesitancy and acceptance rate of various COVID-19 vaccine types among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia, a nation with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus experience.DesignNational cross-sectional, pilot-validated questionnaire.SettingOnline, self-administered questionnaire among HCWs.ParticipantsA total of 2007 HCWs working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated; 1512 (75.3%) participants completed the survey and were included in the analysis.InterventionData were collected through an online survey sent to HCWs during 1–15 November 2020. The main outcome measure was HCW acceptance of COVID-19 candidate vaccines. The associated factors of vaccination acceptance were identified through a logistic regression analysis and via measurement of the level of anxiety, using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7 scale.ResultsAmong the 1512 HCWs who were included, 62.4% were women, 70.3% were between 21 and 40 years of age, and the majority (62.2%) were from tertiary hospitals. In addition, 59.5% reported knowing about at least one vaccine; 24.4% of the participants were sure about their willingness to receive the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, and 20.9% were willing to receive the RNA BNT162b2 vaccine. However, 18.3% reported that they would refuse to receive the Ad5-vectored vaccine, and 17.9% would refuse the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine. Factors that influenced the differential readiness of HCWs included their perceptions of the vaccine’s efficiency in preventing the infection (33%), their personal preferences (29%) and the vaccine’s manufacturing country (28.6%).ConclusionsAwareness by HCWs of the several COVID-19 candidate vaccines could improve their perceptions and acceptance of vaccination. Reliable sources on vaccine efficiency could improve vaccine uptake, so healthcare authorities should use reliable information to decrease vaccine hesitancy among frontline healthcare providers.

scholarly journals Healthcare worker intentions to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and reasons for hesitancy: A survey of 16,158 health system employees on the eve of vaccine distribution

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle N. Meyer ◽  
Tamara Gjorgjieva ◽  
Daniel Rosica
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Population Immunity ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Acceptance Rates ◽  
Vaccine Distribution ◽  
To Receive

AbstractHealthcare workers (HCWs) have been recommended to receive first priority for limited COVID-19 vaccines. They have also been identified as potential ambassadors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, helping to ensure that sufficient members of a hesitant public accept COVID-19 vaccines to achieve population immunity. Yet HCWs themselves have shown vaccine hesitancy in other contexts and the few prior surveys of U.S. HCW intentions to receive a COVID-19 vaccine report acceptance rates of only 28% to 34%. However, it is unknown whether HCW acceptance remains low following mid-November announcements of the efficacy of the first COVID-19 vaccines and the issuance of two emergency use authorizations (EUA) in December. We report the results of a December 2020 survey (N = 16,158; response rate 61%) administered by a large Pennsylvania health system to determine the intentions of its employees to receive a vaccine when it is offered to them. In a mixed sample of individuals serving in patient-facing and other roles, 55% would decide to receive a COVID-19 vaccine when offered, 16.4% would not, and 28.5% reported being undecided. The distribution of responses varied little across hospital campuses, between those in patient-facing roles and other HCWs, or by area or department of work. The higher rate of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance we observe may reflect the framing and timing of our survey. Among hesitant respondents, an overwhelming majority (90.3%) reported concerns about unknown risks and insufficient data. Other commonly reported concerns included known side effects (57.4%) and wanting to wait until they see how it goes with others (44.4%). We observed a substantial increase in self-reported intent to receive a COVID-19 vaccine after an FDA advisory committee voted to recommend an EUA. Among respondents who completed the survey after that point in time, 79% intend to receive a COVID-19 vaccine (n = 1155). Although only suggestive, this trend offers hope that rates of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance may be higher among HCWs and, perhaps, the general public than more hypothetical survey results have indicated.

scholarly journals Healthcare worker intentions to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and reasons for hesitancy: A survey of 16,158 health system employees on the eve of vaccine distribution

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle N. Meyer ◽  
Tamara Gjorgjieva ◽  
Daniel Rosica
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Population Immunity ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Acceptance Rates ◽  
Vaccine Distribution ◽  
To Receive

Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been recommended to receive first priority for limited COVID-19 vaccines. They have also been identified as potential ambassadors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, helping to ensure that sufficient members of a hesitant public accept COVID-19 vaccines to achieve population immunity. Yet HCWs themselves have shown vaccine hesitancy in other contexts and the few prior surveys of U.S. HCW intentions to receive a COVID-19 vaccine report acceptance rates of only 28% to 34%. However, it is unknown whether HCW acceptance remains low following mid-November announcements of the efficacy of the first COVID-19 vaccines and the issuance of two emergency use authorizations (EUA) in December. We report the results of a December 2020 survey (N = 16,158; response rate 61%) administered by a large Pennsylvania health system to determine the intentions of its employees to receive a vaccine when it is offered to them. In a mixed sample of individuals serving in patient-facing and other roles, 55% would decide to receive a COVID-19 vaccine when offered, 16.4% would not, and 28.5% reported being undecided. The distribution of responses varied little across hospital campuses, between those in patient-facing roles and other HCWs, or by area or department of work. The higher rate of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance we observe may reflect the framing and timing of our survey. Among hesitant respondents, an overwhelming majority (90.3%) reported concerns about unknown risks and insufficient data. Other commonly reported concerns included known side effects (57.4%) and wanting to wait until they see how it goes with others (44.4%). We observed a substantial increase in self-reported intent to receive a COVID-19 vaccine after an FDA advisory committee voted to recommend an EUA. Among respondents who completed the survey after that point in time, 79% intend to receive a COVID-19 vaccine (n = 1155). Although only suggestive, this trend offers hope that rates of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance may be higher among HCWs and, perhaps, the general public than more hypothetical survey results have indicated.

Abstract 396: Combating Inpatient Vaccine Hesitancy: I Raised The Rates In My Cardiac Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Ferrer-Gonzalez ◽  
Giselle Falconi-Adame ◽  
Shivani Priyadarshni ◽  
Dustin Benyo ◽  
Daniel High ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Outpatient Setting ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Hospital Policy ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Influenza Immunization ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
To Receive

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Influenza infections in patients with underlying CVD are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events. Influenza immunization is a global prevention strategy; however, more hospital-based policies are needed to combat the alarming rise of vaccine hesitancy across all age groups in the States. Our objective was to increase immunization rates in patients with CVD. Methods: Qualitative improvement project using FADE model to design and implement an in-hospital intervention for adults with CV comorbidities between November 2019-February 2020. A 5-question survey was administered to CV stepdown unit nurses to identify vaccination barriers. An immunization promotion intervention using the motivational interview model was performed by residents upon receipt of daily immunization updates in patients with unknown influenza vaccine status. The primary objective was to provide bedside education to vaccine-hesitant patients during their hospital course or upon discharge in the outpatient setting. Amongst unvaccinated patients, we tracked potential CV complications using the HCA database for patients admitted during the current flu season. Results: We identified 5,680 patients that met inclusion criteria for the 2018-2019 and current flu season admitted to CV stepdown unit for comparison. At the end of our pilot study, 91 patients were willing to receive the vaccine in the outpatient setting, and 73 patients opted to receive their influenza vaccination on the floors during their stay. Notable barriers found during the study (1) data collection for CV complications for the current flu season is ongoing, (2) physicians were not able to place orders for the patients that received the intervention, and (3) insufficient nursing immunization documentation for continued management. After overcoming institutional barriers, and in light of CDC’s findings during the 2018-19 influenza season; where it was found that 57% of adults ≥ 65 required hospitalization and accounted for 75% of all influenza-associated deaths. Our executive leadership will implement new policies to support nursing leadership in joining our crusade and implement our approach for a hospital-wide intervention next flu season as Florida is currently the third least vaccinated state as of 2019. Conclusions: Inpatient vaccine promotion via hospital-based vaccine programs should be utilized to combat vaccine hesitancy as misinformation continues to permeate the public sphere. The new threat of SARS-CoV-2 is a sobering reminder that we must not falter in our resolve to reach the masses. Further studies are needed to understand the role of influenza immunization campaigns to improve hospital policy and increase influenza vaccine rates to decrease CV events in patients with preexisting CVD.

scholarly journals Healthcare Workers’ Willingness to Receive Influenza Vaccination in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey in Southern Italy

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 766
Author(s):  
Gabriella Di Giuseppe ◽  
Concetta P. Pelullo ◽  
Andrea Paolantonio ◽  
Giorgia Della Polla ◽  
Maria Pavia
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
To Receive

This cross-sectional survey was designed to evaluate hospital healthcare workers’ (HCWs) willingness to receive the influenza vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the related determinants, since it is plausible that the two epidemics will coexist in future winters. Overall, 68% out of 490 participants expressed their willingness to receive influenza vaccination in the 2020/21 season, with 95% of those ever and 45.8% of those never vaccinated in the previous six influenza seasons. Belief that influenza vaccine is useful in distinguishing influenza symptoms from those of COVID-19 and that the influenza vaccine is useful to prevent influenza in hospital settings, willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccination, having no concern about influenza vaccine side effects, concern about the possibility to transmit influenza to hospitalized patients, and influenza vaccination in previous years were all predictors of willingness to receive influenza vaccination. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, a relevant increase in the willingness to undergo influenza vaccination was reported. Therefore, interventions focused primarily on enabling factors are needed to promote the adherence to influenza vaccination in future seasons among HCWs.

scholarly journals Vaccine Hesitancy: COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccine Willingness among Parents in Wuxi, China—A Cross-Sectional Study

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 342
Author(s):  
Qiang Wang ◽  
Shixin Xiu ◽  
Shuangyu Zhao ◽  
Jianli Wang ◽  
Ying Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Expanded Program On Immunization ◽  
Influenza Vaccinations ◽  
Vaccination Hesitancy

Objectives: We aimed to (1) assess parental hesitancy about category A (Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)) and B (non-EPI) vaccines, (2) assess parental willingness for COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations, and (3) explore the association of vaccination hesitancy of parents and healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods: The study was performed in Wuxi, eastern China between 21 September 2020 and 17 October 2020. Parents of children aged <18 years and HCWs were recruited from the selected immunization clinics. Vaccine hesitancy was assessed using the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) vaccine hesitancy survey (VHS) by summing the total score for 10 items (maximum 50 points). Results: A total of 3009 parents and 86 HCWs were included in the analysis. The category A VHS scores were significantly higher than the category B VHS scores (p = 0.000). Overall, 59.3% and 52.4% of parents reported willingness to avail COVID-19 and influenza vaccination for their children, respectively; 51.2% of the HCWs wanted to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Parental category B VHS scores were associated with HCW category B VHS scores (r = 0.928, p = 0.008). Conclusions: In China, parents are more hesitant about category B vaccines than category A vaccines. More than 40% of parents showed hesitancy and a refusal to use COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.

scholarly journals Estimating vaccine confidence levels among future healthcare workers and their trainers: A quantitative study protocol

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth O. Oduwole ◽  
Hassan Mahomed ◽  
Birhanu T. Ayele ◽  
Charles S. Wiysonge
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
P Value ◽  
List Type ◽  
Confidence Levels ◽  
Vaccine Confidence ◽  
To Receive

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caught the world off guard in the first quarter of the year 2020. To stem the tide of this pandemic, the development, testing, and pre-licensure approval for emergency use of some COVID 19 vaccine candidates were accelerated. This led to raised public concern about their safety and efficacy, compounding the challenges of vaccine hesitancy which was already declared one of the top ten threats to global health in the year 2019. The onus of managing and administering these vaccines to a skeptical populace when they do become available rests mostly on the shoulders of healthcare workers (HCWs). Therefore, the vaccine confidence levels of HCWs becomes critical to the success of vaccination endeavors, especially COVID 19 vaccination. This proposed study aims to estimate the level of vaccine confidence and the intention to receive a COVID 19 vaccine among future HCWs and their trainers at a specific university in Cape Town, South Africa, and to identify any vaccination concerns early for targeted intervention.Methods and analysisAn online survey will be distributed to current staff and students of an academic institution for HCWs. The survey questionnaire will consist of a demographic questions section consisting of six items and a vaccine confidence section comprising six items in Likert scale format.A multinomial logistic regression model will be employed to identify factors associated with vaccine confidence and intention. The strength of association will be assessed using odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval. Statistical significance will be defined at a p-value <0.05.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been obtained for the study from Stellenbosch University (HREC Reference # S19/01/014 (PhD)). The results will be shared with relevant health authorities, presented at conferences, and published in a peer-reviewed journal.ARTICLE SUMMARYStrengths and limitations of this study▸The proposed study will generate baseline knowledge of the vaccine confidence among future healthcare workers and their trainers in its specific context.▸It will contribute to addressing the knowledge gap about the intention to receive a COVID 19 vaccine among health care workers in Africa.▸It will enable the early identification of vaccine concerns of healthcare workers while they are still in training and assist in informing tailored measures to address them.▸A limitation of the study is the possibility of a low response rate which is an inherent challenge of online surveys.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Among Healthcare Workers in a United States Medical Center

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle H. Moniz ◽  
Courtney Townsel ◽  
Abram L. Wagner ◽  
Brian J. Zikmund-Fisher ◽  
Sarah Hawley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Occupational Characteristics ◽  
To Receive

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prioritized healthcare personnel for the first phase of COVID-19 vaccination in the United States to keep critical healthcare infrastructure open and functioning, but vaccine hesitancy may limit vaccine uptake.ObjectiveTo evaluate vaccine intentions among healthcare workers eligible for COVID-19 vaccination and explore differences by sociodemographic and occupational characteristics.DesignFrom February 1-15, 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional, opt-in online survey at a Midwest U.S. academic healthcare center that began vaccinating employees in December 2020.ParticipantsThe entire employee workforce of the study site was eligible.Main MeasuresCOVID-19 vaccination intention, categorized as Received/Scheduled/ASAP, Not Now, and Not Ever. Logistic regression models to assess the relationship between demographic and occupational characteristics and intention to receive COVID-19 vaccination.Key ResultsMost participants (n=11,387, of 39,259 individual and group email accounts invited) had received or were scheduled to receive the COVID-19 vaccine (n=9081, 79.8%) or planned to receive it as soon as possible (n=546, 4.8%), while fewer were hesitant (Not Now, n=954, 8.4%; Not Ever, n=369, 3.2%). In multivariable logistic regression models predicting vaccine intention, physicians (aOR 22.2, 9.1-54.3), trainees (aOR 5.9, 3.0-11.4), and nurse practitioners/nurse midwives/physician assistants (aOR 1.9, 1.2-3.0) were significantly more likely to demonstrate vaccine acceptance, compared to nurses, whereas other clinical staff were significantly less likely (aOR 0.8, 0.6-0.9). Prior infection with COVID-19, gender, race/ethnicity, and age were all significantly associated with vaccine intention. Overall, 29.6% reported at least one concern about COVID-19 vaccination.ConclusionsIn a large, diverse sample of healthcare workers, over 11% delayed COVID-19 vaccination when it was available to them, with notable variation in vaccine hesitancy across professional roles and demographic groups. Our findings suggest immediate opportunities to empathetically engage those with COVID-19 vaccine concerns and optimize vaccine coverage across our healthcare system.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptability and Hesitancy in Africa: Implications for Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (10) ◽  
pp. 999-1004
Author(s):  
Steward Mudenda
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Swine Flu ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Vaccine Acceptability ◽  
H1n1 Vaccine ◽  
Flu Vaccine ◽  
Pandemic Vaccine ◽  
To Receive

Background: Increased acceptance and uptake of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines is very essential in containing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine hesitancy is a threat to public health containment of infectious diseases. Aim: The main aim of this study was to review published articles regarding COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and hesitancy across all populations in Africa. Materials and methods: This was a narrative review. A comprehensive literature search was done using PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and EMBASE using the keywords vaccine acceptability, vaccine hesitancy, COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19 pandemic, H1N1 vaccine, swine flu, swine flu vaccine, Africa, and the Boolean word AND. The cited literature was published between March 2001 and June 2021. Results: The few studies were done in Africa so far are among healthcare workers and medical students. Acceptance of vaccination against COVID-19 in Africa ranged from 15.4% to 55.9%. This shows increased hesitancy to receive the COVID-19 vaccines in African countries. Many people were concerned about the potential adverse effects and ineffectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. Misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines has contributed to the hesitancy reported from different studies. Moreover, sociodemographic characteristics were also predictors of the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines. Conclusion: Low acceptability rates reported in Africa indicates increased hesitancy to vaccination against COVID-19. The low acceptance of vaccines in Africa can hinder the required 60-70% vaccinations to achieve herd immunity. Therefore, there is a need to develop strategies that will address hesitancy against the COVID-19 vaccines across countries and populations in Africa and the entire globe.

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