COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions and Hesitancy among Healthcare Workers of a Multisite Academic Healthcare System: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2 infections have proved essential to both the reduction of morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 and the end of the pandemic. However, while the pandemics toll is vast, hesitancy to receive these safe and effective vaccines is a concerning trend that warrants further study in order to identify failures in the public health messaging framework. Surveillance of vaccine hesitancy was conducted early in the vaccine rollouts, among healthcare workers. The goal was to identify if healthcare workers (HCWs) who had higher risks for exposure and infection also had higher rates of vaccine hesitancy.Methods: Details of the study and recruitment techniques have been reported previously (Wilkins et al. 2021). HCWs were given a survey of vaccine intentions with possible responses of Yes, No, and Unsure. Surveys were completed from November 2020 to January 2021 and a sensitivity analysis was performed for the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Demographic, exposure, and serologic characteristics are presented, as well as multinomial logistic regression and adjusted/unadjusted odds ratios.Results: 4,180 HCWs reported 77.1% intention to be vaccinated, with 17.4% unsure and 5.5% reporting they would not be vaccinated. The number of unsure HCWs dropped following the EUA. Lowest odds for intentions were found among nurses, women, non-Hispanic Black, and 30-39-year-old HCWs. Significantly higher odds for intentions were found among physicians, men, Asians, and older HCWs.Conclusions: Disparities in vaccine intentions among these distinct groups is a concerning trend especially among those participating in patient care that could be better remediated through the use of earlier, robust public health messaging that targets hesitant individuals.

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