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. 2022 Apr 20;40(18):2612-2618.
doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.03.011. Epub 2022 Mar 9.

Healthcare worker perspectives on COVID-19 vaccines: Implications for increasing vaccine acceptance among healthcare workers and patients

Christine M Thomas  1 , Kelly Searle  2 , Alma Galván  3 , Amy K Liebman  3 , Erin M Mann  4 , Jonathan D Kirsch  5 , William M Stauffer  6
Affiliations

Healthcare worker perspectives on COVID-19 vaccines: Implications for increasing vaccine acceptance among healthcare workers and patients

Christine M Thomas et al. Vaccine. .

Abstract

Objective: To understand COVID-19 vaccine perspectives among healthcare workers serving diverse communities.

Methods: A dual English/Spanish survey was distributed to healthcare workers in the United States from 3/12/2021-4/22/2021 by the Migrant Clinicians Network, Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers, a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center, and social media advertisement to general primary care workers.

Results: 517 responses were at least 50% complete and included in the analysis. Among these, 88% (457/517) indicated vaccine acceptance. Factors associated with acceptance included not reporting any vaccine concerns, identifying as male, ≥65 years of age, being a physician or advanced practice provider, and interacting directly with patients from refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities. Participants identified educational information as most helpful for themselves when making a vaccine decision, but a healthcare provider's recommendation as most helpful for their patients.

Conclusion: Healthcare workers, especially those serving RIM communities, are vaccine accepting. Tailoring vaccine-related information to healthcare workers may improve vaccine confidence for both themselves and patients who rely on them for information.

Keywords: Acceptance; COVID-19; Healthcare worker; Immigrant; Refugee; Vaccine.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: William Stauffer reports a relationship with Wolters Kluwer UpToDate that includes: speaking and lecture fees. William Stauffer reports a relationship with Emergent BioSolutions Inc that includes: speaking and lecture fees.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Participant response.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Vaccine acceptance by participant location.
Supplementary figure 1
Supplementary figure 1
Geographic distribution of participants.
Supplementary figure 2
Supplementary figure 2
Perceptions about likelihood of COVID-19 illness, and vaccine importance and safety (n=517).
Supplementary figure 3
Supplementary figure 3
Distribution of refugee, immigrant, and migrant populations served by healthcare workers.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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