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. 2022 Jan 1;64(1):6-9.
doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002376.

Work Absence Following COVID-19 Vaccination in a Cohort of Healthcare Personnel

Laura E Breeher  1 , Michael E Wolf, Holly Geyer, Todd Brinker, Christopher Tommaso, Stacy Kohlnhofer, Caitlin Hainy, Melanie Swift
Affiliations

Work Absence Following COVID-19 Vaccination in a Cohort of Healthcare Personnel

Laura E Breeher et al. J Occup Environ Med. .

Abstract

Objective: To identify rates of work absence following receipt of COVID-19 vaccine in a cohort of healthcare personnel (HCP).

Methods: Short-term disability (STD) usage by HCP attributed to side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine was calculated for each vaccine manufacturer, job category, age group, and work region. Analysis was performed for the cohort of HCP during the initial vaccination campaign.

Results: 4.1% of COVID-19 vaccinations generated a STD claim for lost work due to side effects, with increased STD rates after dose 2 than dose 1 (7.4% and 0.9%, respectively). Rates were higher for younger HCP and allied health staff.

Conclusions: While side effects from mRNA vaccine dose 2 resulted in more work absence, statistically significant geographic differences in STD suggest cultural and staffing factors may impact HCP to utilize STD following vaccination.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: Dr. Swift reports receiving research funding for a vaccine registry from Pfizer via Duke University. Breeher, Wolf, Geyer, Brinker, Tommaso, Kohlnhofer, Hainy, and Swift have no relationships/conditions/circumstances that present potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Vaccination short-term disability claim rate by region.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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