COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance among Healthcare Workers and General Population at the Very Beginning of the National Vaccination Program in Poland: A Cross-Sectional, Exploratory Study

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the acceptance level of COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers (HCW) and the general population in Poland at the start of the national COVID-19 vaccination program from 18–31 December 2020. A cross-sectional anonymous survey was conducted in a group of 1976 people: 1042 health professionals and 934 non-medical professionals using an on-line questionnaire. The most skeptical about the COVID-19 vaccine were students of non-medical faculties, non-medical professions, and administrative–technical health service staff (26.2%, 38.7% and 41.2%, respectively). The most positive attitude to vaccination was reported by doctors, medical students and pharmacists (80.6%, 76.9% and 65.7%, respectively). Doctors (64.7%) and medical students (63.7%) most often declared confidence in vaccines compared to nurses (34.5%). Distrust about vaccine safety was declared by nurses (46.6%) and pharmacists (40.0%). HCW encouraged others to vaccinate more eagerly (65.8%) than non-medical professions (28.3%). Thus, a considerable proportion of HCW in Poland expressed concern about vaccines just prior to the beginning of the COVID-19 immunization program. The significant decrease in the willingness to vaccinate observed in Poland towards the end of 2021 must be considered in the light of the serious COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in the Polish population.

Does Hospitalization Change the Perception of COVID-19 Vaccines among Unvaccinated Patients?

“…Similar to other countries, Polish healthcare workers were prioritized in access to vaccination [ 33 ]. They represent the occupational group with the highest vaccination coverage, although some hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccines is still present [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. As also found, unvaccinated healthcare workers hospitalized due to COVID-19 regretted their decision not to vaccinate less often, and 43% were unwilling to promote vaccination or were unsure about it despite their experience with severe COVID-19.…”

Healthcare Workers’ Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination in Russia

“…Some of the highest healthcare workers’ acceptance rates were observed in Germany (91.7%) [ 7 ] and Canada (80.9%) [ 8 ]. The acceptance rate was 64.7% for doctors and 34.5% for nurses in Poland [ 9 ]. In the United Arab Emirates, 58% of HCWs were willing to take the vaccine and give it to their family [ 10 ].…”

Determination of the factors affecting covid-19 vaccine acceptance among the university students of Centro Escolar University-Manila

“…It can be said that at least in CEU Manila, medical and non medical students are well-informed about the role of vaccines and which vaccine of choice they are going to take that has lesser side effects. In contrast, both medical students and non medical students in accepting the COVID-19 vaccine due to the harmful side effects brought about by the COVID-19 vaccine [13]. The results summary of the student's confidence regarding COVID-19 vaccine.…”

“…This is in line with CEU-Manila's stipulated mandatory vaccination aiming to promote safety and prevent the spread of the virus across the school premises, including laboratories, offices, classrooms, and used or operated by CEU-Manila. On the contrary, nonmedical students were against mandatory vaccination whereas, medical students had fewer responses in resistance to mandatory vaccination implemented by the school [13]. Moreover, it was found out that medical students strongly agreed that the school had deliberately discussed the advantages of getting vaccinated, and nonmedical students agreed as well.…”