Withdrawn: Vaccine hesitancy among Maltese Healthcare workers toward influenza and novel COVID-19 vaccination

Abstract

Introduction Vaccine hesitancy is a chronic public health threat. This study was carried out to ascertain Maltese healthcare workers' hesitancy to a novel COVID-19 vaccine and correlate this with influenza vaccine uptake. Methods A short, anonymous questionnaire was sent out to all of Malta's government sector healthcare workers via the service's standard email services (11–19/09/2020). A total of 9681 questionnaires were posted electronically, with 10.4% response. Results The proportion of Maltese healthcare workers who will take the influenza vaccine increased significantly. Doctors had the highest baseline uptake and highest likely influenza vaccine uptake next winter. The likely/undecided/unlikely to take a COVID-19 vaccine were 52/22/26% respectively. Males were likelier to take the vaccine. Doctors were the occupation with the highest projected vaccine uptake. Likelihood of taking COVID-19 vaccine was directly related to the likelihood of influenza vaccination. Concerns raised were related to insufficient knowledge about such a novel vaccine, especially unknown long term side effects. Discussion The increased uptake of influenza vaccine is probably due to increased awareness of respiratory viral illness. Doctors may have higher vaccine uptakes due to greater awareness and knowledge of vaccine safety. The proportions of who are likely/undecided/unlikely (half, quarter, quarter respectively) to take a COVID-19 are similar to rates reported in other countries. The higher male inclination to take the vaccine may be due the innate male propensity for perceived risk taking. Shared COVID-19 with influenza vaccine hesitancy implies an innate degree of vaccine reluctance/hesitancy and not merely reluctance based on novel vaccine knowledge gap.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Worldwide: A Concise Systematic Review of Vaccine Acceptance Rates

“…The results in Italy and France can be viewed from the perspective of lacking confidence in the safety of these vaccines, since such a negative attitude was reported previously in these countries [ 27 ]. In addition, low rates of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance were reported among students and healthcare workers in Malta—44.2% and 52.0%, respectively [ 73 , 74 ]. Variable results were also reported in other European countries with rates as high as 80.0% in Denmark, and as low as 56.3% in Poland [ 46 , 47 ].…”

Confidence and Receptivity for COVID-19 Vaccines: A Rapid Systematic Review

“…The most commonly cited reasons for hesitation or refusal were fear of side effects [1,22,47,49,50], safety [5,34,37,51], and effectiveness [2,5,24,[52][53][54]. Belief that vaccines are unnecessary [43,50,52,55], inadequate information [34,47,50], unknown/short duration of immunity [2,5,50,53], and a general anti-vaccine stand [1,10,55] were associated with lower acceptance.…”

“…Three international studies investigated healthcare professionals' attitudes and found similar concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness and receptivity predictors including previous vaccination history, perceived risk or exposure, and being older, male, or a doctor [7,55,62]. Healthcare workers in Indonesia had greater acceptance than the public (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.12-2.20) [63] while nurses in Hong Kong indicated low intention (40%) [7].…”

No Jab, No Job? Ethical Issues in Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel

“… 30 These negative attitudes seem to remain among HCP regarding COVID-19 vaccines. 15 Research suggests additional concerns among HCP specifically regarding: COVID-19 vaccines (including insufficient safety and efficacy data and long-term side effects) and breakdowns of trust between HCP and institutions (due to inadequate personal protective equipment [PPE] and concerns that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 will be linked to requirements to work with COVID-19 patients). 15–17 …”