Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine intentions and uptake in a tertiary-care healthcare system: A longitudinal study

Abstract

Objective Healthcare workers (HCWs) are a high priority group for COVID-19 vaccination and serve as sources for information for the public. This analysis assessed vaccine intentions, factors associated with intentions, and change in uptake over time in HCWs. Methods A prospective cohort study of COVID-19 seroprevalence was conducted with HCWs in a large healthcare system in the Chicago area. Participants completed surveys (November 25, 2020-January 9, 2021 and April 24-July 12, 2021) on COVID-19 exposures, diagnosis and symptoms, demographics, and vaccination status. Results Of 4,180 HCWs who responded to a survey, 77.1% indicated they intended to get the vaccine; in this group, 23.2% had already received at least one dose of the vaccine (23.2%), 17.4% were unsure, and 5.5% reported that they would not get the vaccine. Factors associated with intention or vaccination were being exposed to clinical procedures (vs no procedures) and having a negative serology test for COVID-19 (vs no test) (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.39, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.16-1.65, AOR=1.46, 95% CI 1.24-1.73, respectively). Nurses (vs physicians, AOR=0.24 95% CI 0.17-0.33), non-Hispanic Black (vs Asians, AOR=0.35, 95% CI 0.21-0.59), and women (vs men, AOR=0.38, 95% CI 0.30-0.50) had lower odds of intention to get vaccinated. By 6-months follow-up, over 90% of those who had previously been unsure were vaccinated, while 59.7% of those who previously reported no intention of getting vaccinated, were vaccinated. Conclusions COVID-19 vaccination in HCWs was high, but variability in vaccination intention exists. Targeted messaging coupled with vaccine mandates can support uptake.

Characterising reasons for reversals of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among Japanese people: One-year follow-up survey

“…14 On the other hand, a study by Evans et al conducted on healthcare workers in the United States demonstrated that 59.7% of those who previously reported no intention of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and 90.6% of those who had previously been unsure were vaccinated by follow-up six months later. 30 These results are comparable to ours. The Understanding America Study (UAS), a repeated survey of a probabilistic Internet panel of adults in the United States, found that non-Hispanic Asian people were more likely to have increased likelihood of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine than non-Hispanic White people.…”

Strengthened belief in vaccine effectiveness predicted increased COVID-19 vaccination intention and behaviour: Results from a nationally representative longitudinal survey of U.S. adults from July 2020 to April/May 2021

“…Maciuszeket al [37] found that those with lower initial vaccine attitudes had higher increases in vaccination intention than those who were consistently acceptant. Conversely, Evans et al [34] did not find any significant trait differences among initially hesitant healthcare workers who did and did not get vaccinated by follow-up. Although these studies measure shifting intentions, they either focus on socio-demographic predictors alone or treat behavioural beliefs as static.…”

“…Waszkiewicz et al [33] surveyed respondents about their vaccination intention at two time points and asked those who were previously vaccine hesitant to disclose the reasons behind their shifting mindset; main factors were increased concern about health and safety and a desire to travel. Evans et al [34] , Harada & Watanabe [35] , Hyland et al [36] , and Maciuszeket al [37] also surveyed respondents over time, identifying potential traits or beliefs at one wave that were associated with changes in vaccination intention at a later wave. Harada & Watanabe [35] found that those who shifted from hesitant to acceptant had higher COVID-19-related anxiety and lower concern for adverse vaccine side effects.…”

COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy among Healthcare Workers—A Review

“…Willingness to vaccinate has also increased over time [58,81,139] suggesting that additional HCWs may vaccinate with time. One study noted that 59.7% of HCWs who had been unsure about vaccination were later vaccinated by a 6-month follow-up [255]. However, it is unclear in what timeframe this will occur [255].…”

“…One study noted that 59.7% of HCWs who had been unsure about vaccination were later vaccinated by a 6-month follow-up [255]. However, it is unclear in what timeframe this will occur [255]. Furthermore, the benefits of allowing HCWs to delay vaccination or continue to seek exemptions must be weighed with the continued risks of being unvaccinated.…”