Abstract
BackgroundThe health and economic ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic have prompted the need for a timely and effective vaccine development. While the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in record time is being hailed as a scientific feat, skepticism about the safety, side effects, and even its long-term effects remain. Acceptance of the vaccine may therefore be a challenge among healthcare workers (HCWs), whose role is considered a proxy to determining the COVID-19 vaccine uptake response by the general population.MethodsIn December 2020, prior to the arrival and receipt of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, we conducted a cross-sectional survey to assess the readiness for vaccine uptake among HCWs at three community-based, university-affiliated health centers.ResultsA total of 205 (82%) respondents out of 250 completed the questionnaire. Fifty-four percent of respondents agreed to receive vaccine once available. Females (odds ratio (OR) =0.22, p=0.014), non-Hispanic Blacks (OR=0.066, p=0.010), and Hispanics (OR=0.11, p=0.037) were less likely to accept the vaccine. Respondents with moderate-risk perception were more likely to accept (OR=2.79, p=0.045) compared to those with low-risk perception while no association was found between high-risk perception and vaccine acceptance (p=0.226). After adjusting for perceived risk, sex, race/ethnicity, and age, acceptance in non-Hispanic Black population remained statistically significant (adjusted OR=0.07, p=0.014), with Hispanic (AOR=0.12, p=0.051) showing a trend.ConclusionsEnthusiastic acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine is lacking among surveyed HCWs of certain racial/ethnic groups. Provision of resources and public health interventions targeting underserved, minority populations are necessary to halt opposition to vaccine uptake.
Highlights
In November 2019, severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged from Wuhan, China, and rapidly spread creating a pandemic known as coronavirus (COVID-19) infection
Exposure to COVID-19 was assessed by a question on whether respondents had contact with a COVID-19 positive patient or a person under investigation (PUI) for the infection or if they had ever tested positive for COVID-19 infection
We gauged their willingness to recommend the vaccine to others on a Likert scale with the question: “How likely are you to recommend the vaccine to others?” barriers and concerns relating to the COVID19 vaccine were assessed with a question identifying the issue(s) most concerning to them about the recently approved COVID-19 vaccine
Summary
In November 2019, severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged from Wuhan, China, and rapidly spread creating a pandemic known as coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. Specific mortality report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association lists COVID-19 infection as one of the top leading causes of death for persons aged 45 and older in the USA [5]. The health and economic ramifications of the pandemic prompted the need for a timely and effective vaccine development. The health and economic ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic have prompted the need for a timely and effective vaccine development. Methods In December 2020, prior to the arrival and receipt of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, we conducted a cross-sectional survey to assess the readiness for vaccine uptake among HCWs at three community-based, university-affiliated health centers. After adjusting for perceived risk, sex, race/ethnicity, and age, acceptance in non-Hispanic Black population remained statistically significant (adjusted OR=0.07, p=0.014), with Hispanic (AOR=0.12, p=0.051) showing a trend
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
