Abstract
Background: The SARS-CoV-2 vaccine has been widely rolled out globally in the general populations. However, specific data on vaccination confidence, willingness or coverage among health care workers (HCWs) has been less reported. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted to specify the basic data and patterns of vaccination confidence, willingness and coverage among HCWs nationwide. Results: In total, 2386 out of 2583 (92.4%) participants were enrolled for analysis, and the rates of confidence in vaccine, professional institutes and government were 75.1%, 85.2% and 85.4%, respectively. The overall vaccination coverage rate was 63.6% which was adjusted as 82.8% for participants under current medical conditions or having contraindications. Confidence in vaccine safety was shown to be the most related factor to willingness among doctors, nurses, medical technicians and hospital administrators, while confidence in vaccine effectiveness as well as trust in government played the key role in formulating public health employees’ willingness. 130 (7.1% of 1833) participants reporting willingness still not been vaccinated regardless of contraindications. Multivariate analysis among willingness participants showed that males, aged over 30 years, public health employees and higher vaccination confidence had significantly higher vaccination rates with ORs (95% confidence intervals) as 1.64 (1.08–2.49), 3.14 (2.14–4.62), 2.43 (1.46–4.04) or 2.31 (1.24–4.33). Conclusions: HCWs’ confidence, willingness and coverage rates to the vaccine were generally at high levels. Heterogeneity among HCWs should be considered for future vaccination promotion strategies. The population’s confidence in vaccination is not only the determinant to their willingness, but also guarantees their actual vaccine uptake.
Highlights
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused huge losses to life and economy [1]
Among all the health care workers (HCWs), 167 were excluded due to duplicated IP addresses or because they resided outside mainland China, 24 more were excluded due to the quality control question, and 6 were excluded due to logic errors
The samples enrolled for data analysis covered 31 provinces in China among which Shandong, Jiangsu, Qinghai and Beijing offered the largest number of participants, while participants belonged to Heilongjiang and Yunnan were of the least abundant
Summary
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused huge losses to life and economy [1]. The deployment and coverage of safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19 is expected to be the best long-term and cost-effective solution to control the pandemic. These effective measures are often challenged by individuals delaying or refusing vaccination, even though evidence and reports have shown benefits for personal health and social recovery by reducing viral transmission, preventing serious infections and death [5]. Specific data on vaccination confidence, willingness or coverage among health care workers (HCWs) has been less reported. Conclusions: HCWs’ confidence, willingness and coverage rates to the vaccine were generally at high levels. The population’s confidence in vaccination is the determinant to their willingness, and guarantees their actual vaccine uptake
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