COVID-19 vaccination intent among London healthcare workers

Abstract

Background The 10-month timeline from conception to regulatory approval of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 is unprecedented in modern medicine. However, the climate of the pandemic has also seen anti-vaccination sentiments flourish. Aims To determine the intent to accept COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers at a London Hospital Trust and examine variation in uptake between demographic groups. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey open to staff working at the trust. Staff rated on a five-point scale the likelihood of them accepting COVID-19 vaccination. Results We received 514 responses, representing 16% of the workforce. About 59% of staff intended to seek vaccination, 24% to reject and 17% were unsure. There was significantly reduced intended uptake in females, younger age groups, healthcare assistants, nurses, staff of black ethnic backgrounds and those who rejected influenza vaccination. Safety was the dominant concern. Conclusions Our study finds COVID-19 vaccinate hesitancy is prevalent among healthcare workers at a London Hospital Trust. It is particularly concerning that hesitancy was highest amongst groups most exposed to COVID-19 and most at risk of severe disease. Reasons behind disparities in uptake must be addressed to protect staff and prevent deepening inequalities within the healthcare workforce.

Motivation to COVID-19 Vaccination and Reasons for Hesitancy in Employees of a Czech Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…Biswas et al in their review of 35 available studies published until February 2021 revealed that the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in HCWs worldwide ranged from 4.3 to 72% (average = 22.51% across all studies with 76,471 participants) [ 12 ]. A recent French multicenter study by Janssen et al ( n = 4349) noted that at least 22% of HCWs working in a hospital were not planning to get vaccinated at all [ 13 ], a study by Abuown et al ( n = 514) set this value at 24% in a London hospital [ 14 ]. Most of the studies found that individuals who were males, of older age, and doctoral degree holders (i.e., physicians) were more likely to accept COVID-19 vaccines.…”

“…Biswas et al conclude in their review that the majority of studies found concerns about vaccine safety, efficacy, and potential side effects as top reasons for COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy [ 12 ]. Safety concerns were the dominant reason for vaccine rejection along with doubts about the availability of trial data and vaccine efficacy in the study by Abuown et al [ 14 ]. Moreover, Szmyd et al revealed as the main concern the development of long-term side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine [ 16 ].…”

COVID-19 Vaccination: Status and Willingness to Be Vaccinated among Employees in Health and Welfare Care in Germany

“…The concerns cited by the respondents with regard to the COVID-19 vaccines were largely shared with participants in other studies [16][17][18]24]. To counteract these concerns, it may be helpful to highlight what is known so far about the adverse effects of COVID-19, so that people can weigh the risks and benefits of vaccination.…”

“…Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 6688 2 of 14 rate among HCW was estimated to be 0.05 cases per 100,000 population of the country. With 0.35 cases per 100,000 population, Italy has shown the highest mortality rate among HCWs in Europe [8].…”

“…Concerns about the safety, efficacy, and side effects of the coronavirus vaccines were the most common reasons for hesitating or refusing immunization [ 17 ]. In addition, individuals who reported having been vaccinated against influenza in the past were more likely to be vaccinated against COVID-19 [ 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”