Protective Vaccination Used by Doctors for Prevention of Infections

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Feb 25;20(5):4153. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20054153.

Abstract

Doctors, as with all healthcare workers, are a specific risk group due to a high probability of contact with contagious pathogens. An online survey was conducted among Polish doctors to establish their use of protective vaccination to decrease their personal risk of infection. The online survey was conducted using questions about medics' vaccination decisions and approaches. The results revealed that immunization against VPDs for most participants was not adequate based on recommendations or developments in vaccinology. To increase vaccination as a prophylactic method among doctors, especially those not involved in the immunization of patients, an educational campaign is demanded. As non-immunized medics are at risk themselves and are also a threat to the safety of patients, legal changes and the monitoring of vaccine acceptance and perception among medics are required.

Keywords: healthcare workers; immunization; prophylactic methods; vaccination; vaccination hesitancy; vaccine preventable diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • Immunization
  • Physicians*
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccines*

Substances

  • Vaccines

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the project “InterDoktorMen—Building new quality and effectiveness of education in the formula of doctorate studies for healthcare managers at the Health Sciences Faculty at the Medical University in Lodz” (POWR.03.02.00-00-1027/16-00) and co-financed by European Union resources from the European Social Fund as a part of the Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development.