COVID-19 vaccine confidence and hesitancy among healthcare workers: a cross-sectional survey from a MERS-CoV experienced nation

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify COVID-19 vaccine perception, acceptance, confidence, hesitancy, and barriers among healthcare workers (HCW).MethodsAn online national cross-sectional pilot-validated questionnaire was self-administered by HCW in Saudi Arabia, a nation with MERS-CoV experience. The main outcome variable was HCW’s acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine candidates. The associated factors of vaccination acceptance were identified through a logistic regression analysis and the level of anxiety using generalized anxiety disorder 7.ResultOut of 1512 HCWs who completed the study questionnaire—944 (62.4%) women and 568 (37.6%) men—1058 (70%) were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Logistic regression analysis revealed that male HCWs (ORa=1.551, 95% CI: 1.122–2.144), HCWs who believe in vaccine safety (ORa=2.151; 95% CI:1.708–2.708), HCWs who believe that COVID vaccines are the most likely way to stop the pandemic (ORa=1.539; 95% CI: 1.259–1.881), and HCWs who rely on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for COVID 19 updates (ORa=1.505, 95% CI: 1.125–2.013) were significantly associated with reporting willingness to be vaccinated. However, HCWs who believed vaccines were rushed without evidence-informed testing were found to be 60% less inclined to accept COVID-19 vaccines (ORa=0.394, 95% CI: 0.298– 0.522).ConclusionMost HCWs are willing to receive COVID-19 vaccines once available; yet, satisfactoriness of COVID-19 vaccination among HCWs is crucial because health professionals’ knowledge and confidence toward vaccines are important determining factors for their own vaccine acceptance and recommendation to their patients.

Acceptability of a COVID-19 Vaccine Among Healthcare Workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…50.52% of the sample were willing to have the COVID-19 vaccine if it was provided free by the Saudi government, of which 49.71% were willing to be vaccinated as soon as the vaccine becomes available in the country, while 50.29% would delay vaccination until the vaccine's safety is confirmed. The vaccination acceptance rate was lower compared to earlier studies conducted in Saudi Arabia prior to the country's approval of the vaccine (25) or even before the vaccine was available (26). Two reasons could explain this observed low rate.…”

SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 UK Variant of Concern Lineage-Related Perceptions, COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Travel Worry Among Healthcare Workers

“…The survey was a pilot-validated, self-administered questionnaire that was sent to HCWs online through SurveyMonkey © , a platform that allows researchers to deploy and analyze surveys via the web. The questionnaire was adapted from our previously published study with modification and additions related to the new SARS-COV-2 variant (11)(12)(13).…”

Adenovirus and RNA-based COVID-19 vaccines: perceptions and acceptance among healthcare workers

“…HCWs were screened for their awareness of any of the seven published vaccines. [28] Participants were invited using a convenience sampling technique. We used several social media platforms and email lists to recruit participants.…”

“…The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is one of the top 30 countries with the highest reported COVID-19 cases: The KSA had 360,690 laboratory-confirmed cases and 6101 deaths as of December 19, 2020. [27] Acceptance of a potential COVID-19 vaccine assessed among HCWs in the KSA in a survey of 2007 participants showed an acceptance rate of 70%,[28] which is slightly higher than the acceptance rate found in a public survey among 992 participants from the general population (acceptance rate of 65%). [29] Perception of, confidence in, and hesitancy about various COVID-19 vaccines in the context of emerging viral infections and pandemics and with regard to manufacturing companies and different sources of information are principal factors in assessing vaccine acceptance.…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, no published surveys specifically target and compare HCW perception, confidence, and hesitancy toward different types of COVID-19 candidate vaccines. Our previous research showed that most (70%) HCWs are willing to receive COVID-19 vaccines once they are available,[28] so we aimed in this study to compare the perception, confidence, hesitancy, and acceptance rates of various COVID-19 vaccine types among HCWs.…”