Attitude of Health Care Workers and Medical Students towards Vaccination against COVID-19

Abstract

The role of medical personnel in promoting vaccination and pro-health attitudes seems to be of key importance for protection against COVID-19. The aim of the study was to assess the attitudes of health care workers and students of medical faculties towards preventive vaccinations against COVID-19. A cross-sectional online self-administered survey was conducted among 497 people. The questions concerned attitudes towards vaccination as well as concerns about the side effects of the vaccine and contracting COVID-19. A positive attitude to vaccination was observed in 82% of the respondents. More than 54% respondents were concerned about side effects after COVID-19 vaccination. Medical students under 26 years had a more positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination, twice as high as among health care workers OR (95%Cl): 2.20 (1.03–4.66) vs. 4.06 (2.54–6.48), respectively. Students were more concerned than nurses about adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccine 3.8 (3.2–4.1) vs. 3.0 (2.7–3.5) and contracting the virus (1.7 (1.2–2.5) vs. 1.2 (1.0–2.0). Medical students had a more positive attitude toward vaccination than nursing students 4.2 (3.9–4.3) vs. 3.7 (3.3–4.3). In conclusion, predictors of positive attitudes toward vaccination were medical student status and young age.

Knowledge and attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine among India's general rural population

“…A greater positive attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine was found in our study than in Obarisiagbon OE et al, in Nigeria; Alle YF et al, in Ethiopia; and Khan ZA et al, in Pakistan [ 22 , 24 , 25 ]. A similar positive attitude was reported in the study conducted by Jankowska-Polaska B et al in Poland [ 26 ].…”

Novel COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and acceptance, and associated factors, amongst medical students: a scoping review

“…Of the 52 included studies, seven [ 30 , 50 , 66 , 69 , 73 , 74 , 76 ] did not report formal VH/VA rates. However, as these studies reported factors associated with intentions to vaccinate, the decision was made to include them for review.…”

“…Low perceived personal risk of contracting COVID-19 infection, low vulnerability to severe infection, and belief in natural immunity [ 25 , 36 , 38 , 39 , 43 , 52 , 53 , 55 , 58 , 64 , 66 ] were also found to be associated with VH. Previous history of COVID-19 infection was shown to increase vaccine acceptability in some studies [ 45 , 64 , 67 ]; however, it was also shown to decrease vaccine acceptance [ 39 , 69 ].…”

“…Risk perception is a significant predictor of protection intentions and engagement with preventative health behaviors such as vaccination [ 84 ]. The perceived personal risk of contracting COVID-19 infection and the vulnerability to serious infection was associated with lower rates of VH [ 25 , 36 , 38 , 39 , 43 , 52 , 53 , 58 , 64 , 66 ]. There was division in terms of the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccine in medical students who had a history of COVID-19 infection, with some reporting that medical students were more willing to take COVID-19 vaccination after infection [ 45 , 64 , 67 ], whilst others reported the opposite [ 39 , 69 ].…”

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Quality of Life in COVID-19 Department Healthcare Workers in Central Greece

“…Regarding attitudes about vaccination, most healthcare workers, during the first epidemic wave, reported that they were waiting for the release of the vaccine to eliminate the COVID-19 pandemic, have had a vaccination against coronavirus disease, when the vaccine was released, and would recommend vaccination. Globally, HCW had a positive attitude concerning the vaccine against COVID-19 [ 39 ]. Nevertheless, resistance to the vaccine among health workers was particularly high in Greece, with the first surveys at the beginning of the pandemic and before the vaccination campaign, showing only 51.1% positivity to receive the vaccine [ 40 ].…”