Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination among Health System Personnel

Daniel J. Parente, Akinlolu Ojo, Tami Gurley, Joseph W. Le Master, Mark Meyer, David M. Wild, Reem A. Mustafa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: One-Third of the general public will not accept Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination but factors influencing vaccine acceptance among health care personnel (HCP) are not known. We investigated barriers and facilitators to vaccine acceptance within 3 months of regulatory approval (primary outcome) among adult employees and students at a tertiary-care, academic medical center. Methods: We used a cross-sectional survey design with multivariable logistic regression. Covariates included age, gender, educational attainment, self-reported health status, concern about COVID-19, direct patient interaction, and prior influenza immunization. Results: Of 18,250 eligible persons, 3,347 participated. Two in 5 (40.5%) HCP intend to delay (n = 1020; 30.6%) or forgo (n = 331; 9.9%) vaccination. Male sex (adjusted OR [aOR], 2.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.00 2.95; P.001), prior influenza vaccination (aOR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.75-3.18; P.001), increased concern about COVID-19 (aOR, 2.40; 95% CI, 2.07-2.79; P.001), and postgraduate education (aOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.21 1.65; P.001) but not age, direct patient interaction, or self-reported overall health were associated with vaccine acceptance in multivariable analysis. Barriers to vaccination included concerns about long-Term side effects (n = 1197, 57.1%), safety (n = 1152, 55.0%), efficacy (n = 777, 37.1%), risk-To-benefit ratio (n = 650, 31.0%), and cost (n = 255, 12.2%). Subgroup analysis of Black respondents indicates greater hesitancy to accept vaccination (only 24.8% within 3 months; aOR 0.13; 95% CI, 0.08-0.21; P.001). Conclusions: Many HCP intend to delay or refuse COVID-19 vaccination. Policymakers should impartially address concerns about safety, efficacy, side effects, risk-To-benefit ratio, and cost. Further research with minority subgroups is urgently needed. ( J Am Board Fam Med 2021;34:498 508.).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)498-522
Number of pages25
JournalJournal of the American Board of Family Medicine
Volume34
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Academic Medical Centers
  • Acute Disease
  • Chronic Disease
  • COVID-19
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Health Personnel
  • Linear Models
  • Logistic Models
  • Outpatients
  • Pandemics
  • Primary Health Care
  • Quality of Life
  • Self Report
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Vaccination

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Family Practice

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