Peri-Pandemic Acceptance of Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination by Swiss Healthcare Workers in Primary Care 2020/21: A Cross-Sectional Study

Int J Public Health. 2023 Nov 15:68:1605832. doi: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1605832. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess and compare influenza and COVID-19 vaccination uptake of Swiss healthcare workers (HCWs) in primary care 2020/21. Methods: Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination uptake and recommendation behaviours of HCWs in the primary care were assessed using an online semi-structured questionnaire. Associations between vaccination rates and age, language, gender, profession, vaccination history, vaccination training and recommendation behaviours were evaluated using descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results: Vaccinated against COVID-19 in 2020/21 were 91.8% of the 1,237 participating HCWs, while 60.1% were vaccinated against influenza. Physicians and pharmacists presented the highest influenza vaccination rates (87.3%, 73.7%, respectively) compared to nurses (45.8%) and medical practice assistants (52.5%) while COVID-19 vaccination rates were high across all professions. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination rates were significantly associated with age, profession, vaccination history, vaccination training and recommendation behaviours. Conclusion: Acceptance for influenza vaccination has increased during the pandemic but is lower than that for COVID-19 among the HCWs. Demographics, vaccination status and vaccination training impact the vaccination behaviour among HCWs and should be considered in future campaigns to increase vaccination uptake.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccination; behaviour; healthcare workers; influenza vaccination; primary care.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • Influenza Vaccines* / therapeutic use
  • Influenza, Human* / epidemiology
  • Influenza, Human* / prevention & control
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Primary Health Care
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Switzerland / epidemiology
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Influenza Vaccines

Grants and funding

This study was financed by the multi-stakeholder non-profit association QualiCCare. Furthermore, additional funding was obtained through a donation by Astra Zeneca AG and sponsoring by Janssen-Cilag AG. The funder Astra Zeneca was not involved in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, the writing of this article, or the decision to submit it for publication.