Evaluation of Israeli healthcare workers knowledge and attitudes toward the COVID‐19 vaccine.

Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are considered an important target group for the COVID‐19 vaccines. The current study assesses the knowledge and attitudes of Israeli HCWs regarding COVID‐19 immunization, and how various occupational and demographic factors may underlie COVID‐related knowledge and attitudes differences. Methods: Following a pre‐test to validate measures, a cross‐sectional online anonymous survey was distributed to HCWs using a snowball sampling method. Results: The survey was completed by 714 participants (mean age 39.9; range 18–74; 447 female), 52% doctors, 32% nurses, and the remainder by paramedical staff. Of the respondents, 553 (77.4%) answered the question are you in favor of getting the COVID‐19 vaccine, 105 (14.7%) were not sure, and 56 (7.8%) were not in favor. Doctors had higher odds of agreement as compared to both nurses (p <.025) and paramedical staff (p <.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that increased age (OR: 1.075; 95% CI: 1.04–1.11, p <.001), profession (physician vs. nurse; OR: 2.73; 95% CI: 1.32–5.65; p <.007), and getting the current influenza vaccine (OR: 4.96; 95% CI: 2.47–9.95) were significant predictors of agreement. Conclusions: A high level of HCWs knowledge and in favor attitudes were observed. Yet negative attitudes were also noted, particularly among nurses, paramedical staff, and young employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]