A Comparison of the Level of Acceptance and Hesitancy towards the Influenza Vaccine and the Forthcoming COVID-19 Vaccine in the Medical Community.

Magdalena Grochowska,Paweł Waszkiewicz,Aleksandra Ratajczak,Wojciech Feleszko,Gabriela Zdunek,Aleksander Adamiec

doi:10.3390/vaccines9050475

Magdalena Grochowska, Paweł Waszkiewicz + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9050475

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Journal: Vaccines	Publication Date: May 8, 2021
Citations: 63	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Warsaw, Medical University of Warsaw

Abstract

Despite research conducted worldwide, there is no treatment specifically targeting SARS-CoV-2 infection with efficacy proven by randomized controlled trials. A chance for a breakthrough is vaccinating most of the global population. Public opinion surveys on vaccine hesitancy prompted our team to investigate Polish healthcare workers’ (HCWs) attitudes towards the SARS-CoV-2 and influenza vaccinations. In-person and online surveys of HCWs: doctors, nurses, medical students, and other allied health professionals (n = 419) were conducted between 14 September 2020 and 5 November 2020. In our study, 68.7% of respondents would like to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccinations would persuade 86.3% of hesitant and those who would refuse to be vaccinated. 3.1% of all respondents claimed that no argument would convince them to get vaccinated. 61.6% of respondents declared a willingness to receive an influenza vaccination, of which 83.3% were also inclined to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. Although most respondents—62.5% (262/419) indicated they trusted in the influenza vaccine more, more respondents intended to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in the 2020/2021 season. The study is limited by its nonrandom sample of HCWs but provides a preliminary description of attitudes towards SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Highlights

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a global pandemic with a disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) [1]
A recent meta-analysis has shown that nearly 10% of COVID-19-positive patients are healthcare workers (HCWs) [6]
Regarding sex distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, our study shows a higher willingness of male individuals to receive the vaccination, which correlates with the foregoing studies [8,27,35]

Summary

Introduction

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a global pandemic with a disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) [1]. The manifestations of COVID-19 range from asymptomatic or mild symptoms to the severe course of the disease leading to death [2]. COVID-19 [3,4,5]. A recent meta-analysis has shown that nearly 10% of COVID-19-positive patients are healthcare workers (HCWs) [6]. A chance for a breakthrough in the fight against the serious consequences of the new disease can be provided by the worldwide vaccination campaign against the SARS-CoV-2 [7]. Despite the scientific community’s unprecedented effort that in 12 months from identifying the new virus developed safe and effective vaccines, a decline in public confidence in vaccines may affect the scale of vaccination and the effectiveness of such prophylaxis [8]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion