Evaluation of COVID-19 Vaccine Attitudes among Arab American Healthcare Professionals Living in the United States

Abstract

Background: Vaccine hesitancy is the next great barrier for public health. Arab Americans are a rapidly growing demographic in the United States with limited information on the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy. We therefore sought to study the attitudes towards the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine amongst Arab American health professionals living in the United States. Methods: This was a cross sectional study utilizing an anonymous online survey. The survey was distributed via e-mail to National Arab American Medical Association members and Arab-American Center for Economic and Social Services healthcare employees. Respondents were considered vaccine hesitant if they selected responses other than a willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Results: A total of 4000 surveys were sent via e-mail from 28 December 2020 to 31 January 2021, and 513 responses were received. The highest group of respondents were between the ages of 18–29 years and physicians constituted 48% of the respondents. On multivariable analysis, we found that respondents who had declined an influenza vaccine in the preceding 5 years (p < 0.001) and allied health professionals (medical assistants, hospital administrators, case managers, researchers, scribes, pharmacists, dieticians and social workers) were more likely to be vaccine hesitant (p = 0.025). In addition, respondents earning over $150,000 US dollars annually were less likely to be vaccine hesitant and this finding was significant on multivariable analysis (p = 0.011). Conclusions: Vaccine hesitancy among health care providers could have substantial impact on vaccine attitudes of the general population, and such data may help inform vaccine advocacy efforts.

Multilevel determinants of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in the United States: A rapid systematic review

“…An annual household income of $50,000 or more was associated with 1 to 2 times of vaccine acceptance compared to those with lower household income. ( Daly and Robinson, 2021 , Latkin et al, 2021 , Tram et al, 2021 , Salmon et al, 2021 , Khubchandani et al, 2021 , Nikolovski et al, 2021 , Trent et al, 2021 , Hill et al, 2021 , Reiter et al, 2020 , Shallal et al, 2021 ) However, people making less than $20,000 were more likely to reject a COVID-19 vaccine. ( Mercadante and Law, 2021 , Saluja et al, 2021 , Head et al, 2020 )…”

COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy among Healthcare Workers—A Review

“…Higher income [111][112][113] and increased years of work experience [111] are positive predictors. Income may be due to associations with higher educational attainment, lead-ership positions, advancement in career, and greater perceived benefit from continued employment.…”

Culturally sensitive recommendations for the clinical pharmacist to engage the Arab American patient

“…will probably get the vaccine, 6% do not know/not sure, 4% will probably not get the vaccine, and 2% will definitely not get the vaccine. 54 Respondents who had declined an influenza vaccine in the preceding 5 years, nonphysician healthcare professionals including pharmacists, and those earning less than $150 000 were more likely to be vaccine hesitant. Based on this study among ARAM healthcare professionals, vaccine hesitancy is likely to be more magnified in the general ARAM population.…”

“…Unfortunately, ARAM healthcare professionals are not immune to vaccine hesitancy. A survey from members of the National Arab American Medical Association and healthcare employees of the Arab American Center for Economic and Social Services, 41% of respondents reported already received a COVID‐19 vaccine, 34% definitely going to receive the vaccine, 13% will probably get the vaccine, 6% do not know/not sure, 4% will probably not get the vaccine, and 2% will definitely not get the vaccine 54 . Respondents who had declined an influenza vaccine in the preceding 5 years, nonphysician healthcare professionals including pharmacists, and those earning less than $150 000 were more likely to be vaccine hesitant.…”