Attitudes of Spanish hospital staff towards COVID-19 vaccination and vaccination rates

Abstract

Background COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy seems to be universal across countries and subgroups, and so are its determinants. We studied the willingness and factors associated with the decision to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in healthcare workers (HCW) in a Spanish tertiary hospital. Furthermore, we compared the percentage of willingness to vaccinate against COVID with actual vaccination rates among HCW in our hospital. Methods From December 21, 2020 to January 4, 2021, before initiation of the COVID-19 HCW vaccination campaign at Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital (HUGTiP), an anonymous self-administered questionnaire was administered to HCW. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression of the association of variables with the outcome “intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible” was conducted. Vaccination rates were extracted from the hospital information systems. Results Forty-four percent of HCW included in the study declared a willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible. This was associated with male sex [1.66 (95%CI 1.13–2.43); p = 0.009], older age [1.02 (95%CI 1.00–1.03); p = 0.014], belonging to the occupational groups “physician” or “other” [5.76 (95%CI 3.44–9.63) and 2.15 (95%CI 1.25–3.70); p<0.001], respectively, and reporting influenza vaccination during the last three seasons or at least one of the last three seasons [3.84 (95%CI 2.56–5.75) and 2.49 (95%CI 1.71–3.63); p<0.001]. One in ten hospital workers reported they were unwilling to receive COVID-19 vaccination. Actual COVID-19 vaccination uptake among HCW was higher (80.4%) than the percentage of willingness to vaccinate estimated from the questionnaire. Physicians not only had the highest vaccination rate, but also the highest correlation between the reported intention to vaccinate and the final decision to receive COVID-19 vaccination. Conclusions COVID-19 vaccination uptake was higher than previously estimated according to the stated intentions of HCW. Doubts and fears must be addressed, particularly in persons less inclined to be vaccinated: females, younger people and those not vaccinated against influenza in recent seasons. The study of barriers and strategies aimed at promoting COVID-19 vaccination must be adapted in relation to occupational groups’ attitudes, understanding their idiosyncrasies with respect to this and other vaccines.

Prevalence and Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance among Greek Health Care Workers and Administrative Officers of Primary Health Care Centers: A Nationwide Study Indicating Aspects for a Role Model

“…The seasonal influenza vaccination of PHCC personnel was one of the predictors for COVID-19 vaccination acceptance. Our results are in line with several similar studies where a strong correlation was observed [ 11 , 27 , 28 , 33 , 34 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 48 , 49 ].…”

Fear of Illness and Convenient Access to Vaccines Appear to Be the Missing Keys to Successful Vaccination Campaigns: Analysis of the Factors Influencing the Decisions of Hospital Staff in Poland concerning Vaccination against Influenza and COVID-19

“…The study results expose the main underlying factor, which is a low level of fear of getting ill with the flu and its health complications, both for the given person and for other people potentially infected by this person. This renders the given person’s opinions and beliefs concerning vaccinations, and their earlier experiences with vaccinations, as dominating factors that determine their final decision concerning flu vaccination, and this is consistent with findings documented in other studies [ 6 , 8 , 18 , 22 ]. It successfully impregnates the person against any information—or observation-based persuasion—by relatives, family, acquaintances, the clergy, philosophers, journals, press, radio, television, the Internet or social media—which were only marginally mentioned by the participants of the study.…”

“…Among the factors increasing vaccine acceptance are trust in the vaccine and the belief that it is effective [ 9 ]; the perceived susceptibility and known severity of COVID-19 [ 10 ]; high level of vaccine literacy [ 7 ]; the will to prevent the spread of the disease [ 8 , 9 ]; the will to protect family members [ 8 ] or individuals with weak immune systems; the fact that everyone else around them is already vaccinated and being male and of older age [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 18 , 19 ]; high levels of confidence, having the feeling of a collective responsibility [ 9 ]; worrying about COVID-19 and being confident about the way the epidemic is being managed [ 19 ]; a higher level of education [ 7 ] (doctoral or Master’s degree, higher educational levels, or basic science laboratory workers) [ 20 ], especially being a physician [ 6 , 8 , 18 ]; treating vaccination as a means to reduce social isolation [ 21 ]; reported influenza vaccination [ 6 , 22 ] of at least once during the last three seasons [ 8 , 18 ] or complete vaccination against hepatitis B [ 8 ]; in addition to having the impression of being privileged to receive the vaccine [ 23 ].…”

“…It is worth stressing that declared willingness to vaccinate is known to not always fully translate into actual vaccinations; the highest coherence level in this respect is typical for physicians [ 18 ].…”

Sobre los bomberos a los que les daba miedo el fuego

“…2022;25(2):80-85. (6) , que son precisamente el grupo más afectado por la persistencia de síntomas tras el COVID, fundamentalmente tras infecciones leves. El Long COVID o COVID persistente, esta entidad aún por definir, afecta a un 15% de los infectados, que muestran persistencia de síntomas de tipo sistémico y psiconeurocognitivo para los que no hay un tratamiento específico ni un pronóstico acerca de su cronicidad.…”