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Objective: To assess characteristics and perceptions associated with vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers in order to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake in this population. Design: Cross-sectional quantitative survey Setting: Southwest Virginia Participants: A convenience sample of 2,720 employees of a not-for-profit healthcare system Methods: Between March 15-29, 2021, we conducted an Internet-based survey. Our questionnaire assessed sociodemographic and work-related characteristics, vaccine experience and intentions, agreement with vaccine-related perceptions, most important reasons for getting or not getting vaccinated, and trusted sources of information about COVID-19. We used χ2 analyses to assess the relationship between vaccine hesitancy and both characteristics and vaccine-related perceptions. Results: 18% of respondents were classified as vaccine-hesitant. Characteristics significantly associated with hesitancy included Black race/ethnicity, younger age, not having a high-risk household member, and prior personal experience with COVID-19 illness. Hesitancy was also significantly associated with many vaccine-related perceptions, including concerns about short-term and long-term side-effects and a belief that the vaccines are not effective. Among acceptant participants, wanting to protect others and wanting to help end the pandemic were the most common reasons for getting vaccinated. Personal physicians were cited most frequently as trusted source of information about COVID-19 among both vaccine-hesitant and vaccine-acceptant respondents. Conclusions: Educational interventions to decrease vaccine hesitancy amongst healthcare workers should focus on alleviating safety concerns, emphasizing vaccine efficacy, and appealing to a sense of duty. Such interventions should target younger adult audiences. Personal physicians may also be an effective avenue for reducing hesitancy among their patients through patient-centered discussions.

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