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01-12-2021 | Influenza Vaccination | Review

The Nature and Extent of COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy in Healthcare Workers

Authors: Nirbachita Biswas, Toheeb Mustapha, Jagdish Khubchandani, James H. Price

Published in: Journal of Community Health | Issue 6/2021

Abstract

COVID-19 vaccines were approved in late 2020 and early 2021 for public use in countries across the world. Several studies have now highlighted COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in the general public. However, little is known about the nature and extent of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in healthcare workers worldwide. Thus, the purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive worldwide assessment of published evidence on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers. A scoping review method was adopted to include a final pool of 35 studies in this review with study sample size ranges from n = 123 to 16,158 (average = 2185 participants per study). The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy worldwide in healthcare workers ranged from 4.3 to 72% (average = 22.51% across all studies with 76,471 participants). The majority of the studies found concerns about vaccine safety, efficacy, and potential side effects as top reasons for COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in healthcare workers. The majority of the studies also found that individuals who were males, of older age, and doctoral degree holders (i.e., physicians) were more likely to accept COVID-19 vaccines. Factors such as the higher perceived risk of getting infected with COVID-19, direct care for patients, and history of influenza vaccination were also found to increase COVID-19 vaccination uptake probability. Given the high prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in healthcare workers, communication and education strategies along with mandates for clinical workers should be considered to increase COVID-19 vaccination uptake in these individuals. Healthcare workers have a key role in reducing the burden of the pandemic, role modeling for preventive behaviors, and also, helping vaccinate others.

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Title: The Nature and Extent of COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy in Healthcare Workers
Authors: Nirbachita Biswas
Toheeb Mustapha
Jagdish Khubchandani
James H. Price
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Influenza Vaccination
COVID-19 Vaccination
Vaccination
COVID-19
Published in: Journal of Community Health / Issue 6/2021
Print ISSN: 0094-5145
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3610
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-021-00984-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The Nature and Extent of COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy in Healthcare Workers

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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