Vaccination Coverage and Associated Factors of Hepatitis B, Measles-Mumps-Rubella, Varicella, and Tetanus-Diphtheria-Acellular Pertussis Among Primary Health Care Workers in Qatar: A Retrospective Study (2020-2024)

Abstract

Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at an increased risk of exposure to infectious diseases, making vaccination a cornerstone of occupational health and patient safety. Despite clear recommendations, vaccination coverage among HCWs remains suboptimal worldwide, with significant disparities influenced by sociodemographic and professional factors. There is a lack of published data on vaccine uptake among HCWs in Qatar, particularly within the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC). This study aimed to assess the vaccination coverage rates for hepatitis B virus (HBV), measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), varicella, and tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) among HCWs at PHCC in Qatar from 2020 to 2024 and to identify factors associated with vaccination status. Methods A quantitative, retrospective analysis was conducted using data from the Electronic Medical Records System and Human Resources Database across 31 PHCC health centers. All HCWs employed for at least three months were included. Sociodemographic and career-related variables were extracted. Vaccination status for HBV, MMR, varicella, and Tdap was determined. Descriptive statistics summarized coverage rates, and chi-square tests assessed the associations between vaccination status and sociodemographic variables. A p-value was considered statistically significant at <0.005. Results Among 7,463 PHCC employees, the mean age was 40.82 ± 9.00 years, with 65.06% females and 72.18% non-Qatari nationals. Clinical HCWs comprised 64.24% of the workforce. Vaccination coverage was 16.75% for HBV, 5.86% for MMR, 1.76% for varicella, and 12.87% for Tdap. Coverage rates were significantly higher among younger age groups, females, non-Qatari nationals, and those with fewer years of service (p < 0.001 for most comparisons). Non-clinical HCWs had higher HBV coverage, while clinical HCWs had higher Varicella coverage. Educational qualification was associated with HBV and MMR coverage but not with varicella or Tdap. Conclusions Vaccination coverage among PHCC HCWs in Qatar is considerably lower than international targets, with significant disparities across age, gender, nationality, job role, years of service, and education. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to enhance vaccine uptake and address barriers among specific HCW subgroups, thereby improving occupational and patient safety.

Keywords: healthcare workers; hepatitis b vaccine (hbv); measles-mumps-rubella; primary health care; tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (tdap); vaccination coverage.

Figure 1. HBV, MMR, VAR, and Tdap vaccines coverage rate among healthcare workers of Primary Health Care Corporation, Qatar, 2024.

HBV, hepatitis B vaccine; MMR, measles, mumps, and rubella; Tdap, tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis; VAR, varicella