Healthcare worker perspectives on COVID-19 vaccines: Implications for increasing vaccine acceptance among healthcare workers and patients

Christine M Thomas; Kelly Searle; Alma Galván; Amy K Liebman; Erin M Mann; Jonathan D Kirsch; William M Stauffer

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.03.011

Healthcare worker perspectives on COVID-19 vaccines: Implications for increasing vaccine acceptance among healthcare workers and patients

Vaccine. 2022 Apr 20;40(18):2612-2618. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.03.011. Epub 2022 Mar 9.

Authors

Christine M Thomas¹, Kelly Searle², Alma Galván³, Amy K Liebman³, Erin M Mann⁴, Jonathan D Kirsch⁵, William M Stauffer⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States. Electronic address: thom7433@umn.edu.
² School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
³ Migrant Clinicians Network, Austin, TX, United States; National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
⁴ National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
⁵ National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
⁶ Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.

Abstract

Objective: To understand COVID-19 vaccine perspectives among healthcare workers serving diverse communities.

Methods: A dual English/Spanish survey was distributed to healthcare workers in the United States from 3/12/2021-4/22/2021 by the Migrant Clinicians Network, Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers, a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center, and social media advertisement to general primary care workers.

Results: 517 responses were at least 50% complete and included in the analysis. Among these, 88% (457/517) indicated vaccine acceptance. Factors associated with acceptance included not reporting any vaccine concerns, identifying as male, ≥65 years of age, being a physician or advanced practice provider, and interacting directly with patients from refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities. Participants identified educational information as most helpful for themselves when making a vaccine decision, but a healthcare provider's recommendation as most helpful for their patients.

Conclusion: Healthcare workers, especially those serving RIM communities, are vaccine accepting. Tailoring vaccine-related information to healthcare workers may improve vaccine confidence for both themselves and patients who rely on them for information.

Keywords: Acceptance; COVID-19; Healthcare worker; Immigrant; Refugee; Vaccine.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19 Vaccines
COVID-19* / prevention & control
Cross-Sectional Studies
Health Personnel
Humans
Male
Vaccines*

Substances

COVID-19 Vaccines
Vaccines

Grants and funding

T32 AI055433/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States