Abstract
Healthcare workers are at particular risk due to their occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, they belong to the top priority group for vaccination. However, earlier studies show that nursing staff in particular are hesitant to be inoculated. This study presents the current picture with regard to vaccination status, willingness, vaccine preference, and reasons for or against a COVID-19 vaccination among health and welfare workers. An online survey was conducted between 4 March and 10 April 2021 among professional associations and providers of health and social services. Data sets of n = 3401 participants were analyzed. Of these, 62% stated that they had already been vaccinated at least once. A further 22% wanted to be vaccinated, while 6.6% were still hesitant and 9% refused to be vaccinated. Preference was given to predominantly mRNA-based vaccines. Altogether, there was a high vaccination rate and a great willingness to be vaccinated (>80%) across all professional groups and fields of work. Among nursing staff, the total figure was 83.5%. The percentage was highest in geriatric care at 87.5%. Contrary to findings of earlier surveys, vaccination willingness has risen in all professional groups during the course of the vaccination campaign in Germany.
Highlights
After the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020, research into vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 intensified [1]
These data show that health and welfare workers have weighed the risks of vaccination against the possible consequences of COVID-19 and that they demonstrate great willingness to be vaccinated despite the reported side effects
Our data suggest that a vaccination rate of over 80% has already been partially achieved or will soon be achieved among health and welfare workers
Summary
After the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020, research into vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 intensified [1]. Four vaccines with two different mechanisms of action were approved by the European Medicines Agency There was a great deal of uncertainty among the population because the new vaccines were approved at record speed. In the course of the vaccination drive, a conspicuous increase in a specific type of rare cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). In Germany, this prompted the relevant body (Paul-EhrlichInstitut) to halt vaccinations on 15 March 2021 [5]. After a review of the CVT cases, it was recommended in Germany that the vaccine be limited to the over-60 population and that people under 60 who had already received one dose should be given an mRNA-based vaccine [6]
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