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

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has lasted for two years as of 2022, and it is common knowledge that vaccines are an essential tool to mitigate the health, economic, and social fallout. Unfortunately, vaccine hesitancy is still a serious global problem, both in the general population and among healthcare workers. The authors used an original questionnaire to conduct an anonymous survey study in the University Clinical Hospital in Wrocław, Poland, in April and May of 2021 after acquiring consent from the Medical University of Wrocław, Poland Bioethical Committee. The study results demonstrate that, to a significant extent, the decisions concerning vaccinations are based on factors that are difficult to change with rational argumentation, including people’s personal opinions or beliefs concerning vaccinations and their earlier experiences with vaccinations. The study results suggest that the impregnating effect of one’s own opinions, beliefs, and experiences can be surmounted if vaccines are dispensed free and conveniently while the pathogen is irrationally and emotionally perceived as untamed and possibly severe and life threatening. It makes a significant difference as in such cases that the percentage of participants whose decisions concerning vaccination are influenced by the risks to life or health of one’s own or others rises by about 27 and 36 percent points, respectively. Therefore, in order to succeed, campaigns for vaccinations need to include strong subjective and emotional communication, appealing to negative emotions and exploiting the public’s fear of the unknown while stressing tangible and personal threats possibly resulting from acquiring a vaccine-preventable infectious disease.

Investigation and Modeling of the Variables of the Decision to Vaccinate as the Foundation of an Algorithm for Reducing Vaccination Reluctance

“…Individuals who are altruists, care for others, follow government recommendations, and support collective responsibility are more likely to receive COVID-19 vaccination, according to an explanatory factor analysis, findings that are supported by previous research [43].Other studies have found that social media or online activity has a relatively low influence on the decision not to vaccinate, but these channels could be used in order to understand vaccination perceptions [44]. The emotional approach to subjects of public interest could lead to an increase in the vaccination acceptance rate [45]. Employer pressure or workplace constraints do not increase the intention to vaccinate, according to the current study and another conducted in Poland [46].…”

Potential of use of modern information technology solutions in the work of hospital infection control team, including antibiotic therapy optimisation, reduction of alert pathogen infections and vaccination popularisation

“…this results in the crucial need for efficient strategic partnership between the Hospital infection Control team and various other units at the hospital that undertake joint actions aimed at enforcing mandatory vaccinations [68] using legal regulations for the benefit of the community health, as well as promoting the recommended elective vaccinations, especially flu vaccinations, among the hospital staff [69]. the intertwined ubiquitous it systems of the hospital [70] can become a powerful platform for communication of various intensity of persuasion, ranging from just providing objective information to pervasive pro-health and suggestive and emotion-oriented advertising [71].…”

Willingness to vaccinate among adults, and factors associated with vaccine acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines in a nationwide study in Poland between March 2021 and April 2022

“…In combination with evolving dynamics and information about population groups at risk it could have contributed to higher vaccine hesitancy. A previous study in medical professionals in Poland indicated that low risk perception and lack of information about vaccines can make an individual resistant to persuasion about the importance of vaccination ( 44 ). The same study also pointed out the importance of accessibility and low cost in convincing people to get vaccinated.…”