COVID-19 Vaccination Intent, Barriers and Facilitators in Healthcare Workers: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study on 2500 Employees at LMU University Hospital in Munich, Germany

Abstract

Considering the role of healthcare workers (HCW) in promoting vaccine uptake and previously recorded hesitancy among HCW, we aim to examine the COVID-19 vaccination intent and status of HCW through a cross-sectional anonymous online survey at LMU University Hospital in Munich. Data collection was informed by the Health Belief Model (HBM) and focused on vaccination intent, status and on potential factors affecting the decision-making process. In total, 2555 employees completed the questionnaire. Our data showed that an approving attitude towards recommended vaccines and having received an influenza vaccine in the previous winter were strongly associated with COVID-19 vaccination intent. Further, a positive COVID-19 vaccination status was associated with a higher likelihood of approving the extension of the validity of non-pharmaceutical interventions at the workplace. Our HBM-analysis demonstrated strong associations between the perceived benefits and barriers and COVID-19 vaccination intent. Unchanged or low perceived susceptibility and severity were associated with refusal or indecisiveness. Our findings highlight the factors associated with the decision regarding a COVID-19 vaccine and indicate a pattern-like behavior in the acceptance of novel vaccines by HCW. These insights can help inform the communication aims of vaccination campaigns among HCW within similar organizational contexts or in future outbreaks.

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“…Further, the results presented here underline the outcomes of the first questionnaire stating that HCWs with a positive vaccination status are less worried about getting infected with SARS-CoV-2 in their personal or professional environment [ 6 ].…”

“…The hospital’s employees were continuously informed about any changes or adaptations to the recommendations as well as to the vaccination process via the hospital’s designated intranet page and via newsletter. A detailed evaluation of the communication campaign and tools implemented at the LMU University hospital is published elsewhere [ 6 ].…”

“…The overall adherence to the extension of NPI at the hospital confirms the data from the first questionnaire that showed an association between a positive vaccination status and rather agreeing to the extension of the NPIs validity beyond 2021 incl. PCR testing [ 6 ]. However, although this aspect was not explicitly examined in the survey, a shift in the attitude towards not extending NPIs’ validity may be hypothesised.…”

“…In addition, we executed 2 online-based anonymous surveys evaluating the HCWs’ satisfaction with the organisation of the vaccinations process. The surveys were part of an extensive evaluation of the whole vaccination campaign at LMU University Hospital within the scope of the prospective study IMPF LMU with the first part of the project exploring the COVID-19 vaccination intent and associated factors in HCWs (1 survey) and the second part, presented here, with 2 surveys, focusing on the implementation of the vaccination centre [ 6 ]. The results of the first part of the project have already been published [ 6 ].…”

“…The perception of the vaccination process and centre was evaluated within the scope of the prospective study IMPF LMU [ 6 ]. For collecting data on the satisfaction with the vaccination process, 2 questionnaires were created using LimeSurvey Version 4.4.12 + 210308.…”