A pilot study on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers in the US.

Authors :: Gu M
Taylor B
Pollack HA
Schneider JA
Zaller N
Source :: PloS one [PLoS One] 2022 Jun 15; Vol. 17 (6), pp. e0269320. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Jun 15 (Print Publication: 2022).
Publication Year :: 2022
Abstract: To explore the attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers in the US, we surveyed three groups of individuals (essential non-healthcare workers, general healthcare workers, and correctional healthcare workers). We found surprisingly high portions of healthcare workers with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy/resistance, with 23% of correctional healthcare workers and 17% general healthcare workers (as compared to 12%) refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Multivariate regression models suggest that current season flu vaccination (aOR = 3.34), relying on employer for COVID-19 information (aOR = 3.69), and living in the Midwest (aOR = 5.04) to be strongly associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among essential workers and general healthcare workers. Current season flu vaccination (aOR = 7.52) is also strongly associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among correctional healthcare workers. Potential mechanisms of vaccine hesitancy/resistance among healthcare workers involves low health literacy and employer mistrust. Our findings are highly relevant as we try to reach COVID-19 vaccination goals in the US.<br />Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.