Predictors of second COVID‐19 booster dose or new COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy among nurses: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Aims and objectives To assess the levels of second COVID‐19 booster dose/new COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy among nurses and explore the potential predictors of vaccine hesitancy. Background COVID‐19 full vaccination seems to be highly effective against highly contagious variants of SARS‐CoV‐2. Healthcare workers are at high‐risk group since they have experienced high levels of COVID‐19‐associated morbidity and mortality. Design An on‐line cross‐sectional study was carried out in Greece in May 2022, using a self‐administered questionnaire. Methods The study population included nurses in healthcare services who were fully vaccinated against COVID‐19 at the time of study. We considered socio‐demographic characteristics, COVID‐19‐related variables, and attitudes toward COVID‐19 vaccination and pandemic as potential predictors of vaccine hesitancy. We applied the STROBE checklist in our study. Results Among 795 nurses, 30.9% were hesitant toward a second booster dose or a new COVID‐19 vaccine. Independent predictors of hesitancy included lower educational level, absence of a chronic condition, good/very good self‐perceived physical health, lack of flu vaccination during 2021, front‐line nurses that provided healthcare to COVID‐19 patients, nurses that had not been diagnosed with COVID‐19 and nurses that had at least one relative/friend that has died from COVID‐19. Moreover, increased compliance with hygiene measures, increased fear of a second booster dose/new COVID‐19 vaccine and decreased trust in COVID‐19 vaccination were associated with increased hesitancy. Conclusions Our study shows that a significant percentage of nurses are hesitant toward a second booster dose/new COVID‐19 vaccine. This initial hesitancy could be a barrier to efforts to control the COVID‐19 pandemic. Relevance to clinical practice Nurses' role during the COVID‐19 pandemic is essential since they are the front‐line healthcare workers empowering the public with their passion and empathy. There is a need to communicate COVID‐19 vaccine science in a way that is accessible to nurses in order to decrease COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy. Patient or public contribution No patient or public contribution.

Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Intention among Nurses Who Have Been Fully Vaccinated against COVID-19: Evidence from Greece

“…In our study, the vaccination acceptance rate was 57.3%, while 23.7% of nurses were unwilling to get the influenza vaccine and 19% were hesitant. An earlier study in Greece [ 26 ] found that 50.3% of nurses got the influenza vaccine for the 2021/2022 season. Additionally, Sallam et al [ 22 ] found that 64.6% of a sample of nurses in Jordan were willing to accept the influenza vaccine for the 2021/2022 season.…”

Social Support Mediates the Relationship between COVID-19-Related Burnout and Booster Vaccination Willingness among Fully Vaccinated Nurses

“…We found that male sex, older age, and chronic condition were independent demographic predictors of booster vaccine intention among nurses in our study. The literature confirms these findings since several studies found that males, older nurses, and those with a chronic condition had a higher intention to accept primary COVID-19 vaccination and booster doses [ 21 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 72 ]. It is well known that COVID-19-related severe outcomes such as hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, and mortality are higher among males, the elderly, and individuals with comorbidity [ 73 , 74 , 75 ].…”

“…Since the majority of nurses in our sample had already taken a booster dose (89.4%), the percentage of nurses that reported willingness to accept a new booster dose (37.1%) is worrying. A similar study in Greece was conducted in May 2022 and found that 69.1% of nurses intended to take a second booster dose [ 21 ]. Furthermore, according to a meta-analysis, the COVID-19 first booster dose acceptance among healthcare workers was 66% with a wide range from 36% to 90% [ 22 ].…”

“…Lower booster uptake among nurses is the worst scenario since their negative attitude toward booster vaccination could affect decisions of the general public and lead to negative consequences in society [ 20 ]. Until now, only one study has investigated the intention of nurses to take a booster dose, finding that 69.1% of fully vaccinated nurses are willing to accept a booster dose [ 21 ]. A recent meta-analysis found that the acceptance of a booster dose among healthcare workers was 66%, with higher levels of acceptance in the Western Pacific region and the European region and lower levels in the Southeast Asian region and the Eastern Mediterranean region [ 22 ].…”

“…Lastly, several studies [ 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 ] investigated the impact of demographic data (e.g., gender, age, education level, and chronic disease) and COVID-19-related variables (e.g., previous COVID-19 infection, perceived risk, and fear about COVID-19) on nurses’ willingness to accept primary COVID-19 vaccination, but only one study [ 21 ] assessed this willingness toward booster doses. Therefore, we hypothesized the following:…”