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Primary Submission Category: Infectious or Microbial
A multi-site cross-sectional study of factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake among healthcare personnel in the United States
Authors: Utsav Nandi, Benjamin Walker, Nicholas Mohr, Anusha Krishnadasan, Eric Kontowicz, Karisa Harland, Karin Hoth, Howard Smithline, David Talan, Project PREVENT Network ,
Presenting Author: Utsav Nandi*
Introduction
The rapid development and distribution of the novel mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines have been credited with saving millions of lives globally. However, concerns about COVID-19 vaccines contributed to hesitancy in their uptake. Understanding vaccine uptake among healthcare personnel (HCP) is especially important, as this group faces elevated occupational exposure risk, plays a critical role in preventing transmission to vulnerable patients, and strongly influences public vaccine confidence through their own vaccination decisions and recommendations. We assessed the association between sociodemographic factors, vaccine decision-making considerations, and influential sources of information with the initial uptake of recommended COVID-19 vaccines among a cohort of HCP based at healthcare systems in 12 U.S. states.
Methods
We analyzed responses from a cross-sectional survey of HCP enrolled in a multi-site vaccine effectiveness study between January 7, 2021, and May 1, 2022. We included demographic characteristics, participants’ reported considerations for vaccine decision making, and trusted sources of vaccine information and used a mixed-effect logistic regression model to identify factors associated with prior COVID-19 vaccine uptake.
Results
Of the 5,777 participants analyzed, 5,018 (86.9%) received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose before enrollment. Vaccinations occurred between December 14, 2020, and January 7, 2022, with the majority (90%) occurring by March 27, 2021. The first site vaccine requirement began on August 23, 2021. Concern about adverse effects was a major barrier to vaccination (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.39, CI = 0.30–0.51) whereas desire to protect family and friends (aOR = 3.16, CI = 2.03–4.92) and to avoid getting COVID-19 (aOR = 2.97, CI = 2.31–3.82) were significant facilitators. Employers were considered influential sources of information for HCP (aOR = 1.61, CI = 1.28–2.03).
Conclusion
We found a high proportion of COVID-19 vaccine uptake early in the COVID-19 pandemic among HCP, driven primarily by their concerns about contracting and spreading the virus. Notably, 90% of vaccine uptake occurred prior to any site vaccine requirements. Employers were considered to be a trusted source of information. Proactive efforts by employers to share relevant information rapidly may help address concerns about potential adverse effects and may lead to increased vaccine acceptance and uptake when responding to future epidemics.