Vaccine hesitancy among healthcare professionals and the general population: Second important step in the fight against COVID-19

Authors

  • Salih Metin Bursa Provincial Health Directorate Public Hospitals Services Presidency, Bursa Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1582-7900
  • Suna Eraybar University of Health Sciences Turkey, Bursa City Hospital, Emergency Department, Bursa, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4306-9262
  • Huseyin Aygun University of Health Sciences Turkey, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Emergency Department, Bursa Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8933-313X
  • Ferhat Ekinci Yıldırım Distrct Health Directorate, Bursa Turkey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.17618

Keywords:

Vaccine hesitancy, healthcare workers, COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims at finding valuable information for predicting vaccination intentions against COVID-19 to guide future interventions to address hesitation.

Methodology: This observational study consists of 1010 volunteer health workers from the state hospitals in Bursa, and 1111 volunteers from the non-healthcare group, unvaccinated against COVID-19. In the study, the participants were asked about their sociodemographic information and reasons for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine by face-to-face interview.

Results: We classified the unvaccinated healthcare worker group as group 1, and the unvaccinated non-health workers group as group 2. Between groups 1 and 2, vaccination refusal, education level, income level, and pregnancy status were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The groups differed in the reasons for vaccine refusal and recommending vaccination to the relatives of those who refused vaccination (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Healthcare workers have priority among high-risk groups considered candidates for early vaccination. Therefore, it is important to consider health professionals' attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination to better address barriers to widespread vaccination. The role of healthcare professionals is also important, as it encourages the entire community to be vaccinated with role-modeling behavior and advises patients and communities.

Author Biographies

Suna Eraybar, University of Health Sciences Turkey, Bursa City Hospital, Emergency Department, Bursa, Turkey

MD, Assoc Prof, Emergency Medicine Specialist

Huseyin Aygun, University of Health Sciences Turkey, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Emergency Department, Bursa Turkey

MD; Emergency Medicine Specialist

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Published

2023-02-28

How to Cite

1.
Metin S, Eraybar S, Aygun H, Ekinci F (2023) Vaccine hesitancy among healthcare professionals and the general population: Second important step in the fight against COVID-19. J Infect Dev Ctries 17:157–165. doi: 10.3855/jidc.17618

Issue

Section

Coronavirus Pandemic