Intention of nurses to accept coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination and change of intention to accept seasonal influenza vaccination during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey. Issue 45 (21st October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Kailu; Wong, Eliza Lai Yi; Ho, Kin Fai; Cheung, Annie Wai Ling; Chan, Emily Ying Yang; Yeoh, Eng Kiong; Wong, Samuel Yeung Shan
• Is Part Of: Vaccine. Volume 38:Issue 45(2020)
• Page Start: 7049
• Page End: 7056
• Publication Date: 2020-10-21
• Subjects: Vaccination -- Vaccine acceptance -- Coronavirus disease 2019 -- Influenza vaccines -- Nurses; COVID-19 coronavirus disease 2019 -- SARS-CoV-2 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 -- WHO World Health Organization -- OR Odds Ratio -- 95% CI 95% Confidence Interval; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.09.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-410X

Abstract

Highlights: Refusal rate of nurses to influenza vaccine reduced during the pandemic. A low acceptance level and high hesitancy level to COVID vaccination was observed. A strong association between COVID-19 and influenza vaccine acceptance was found. Major concern of nurses about the COVID-19 vaccine was its efficacy and safety. Abstract: Background: Maintaining health of healthcare workers with vaccination is a major component of pandemic preparedness and acceptance of vaccinations is essential to its success. This study aimed to examine impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on change of influenza vaccination acceptance and identify factors associated with acceptance of potential COVID-19 vaccination. Method: A cross-sectional self-administered anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among nurses in Hong Kong, China during 26 February and 31 March 2020. Their previous acceptance of influenza vaccination and intentions to accept influenza and COVID-19 vaccination were collected. Their relationship with work-related and other factors were examined using multiple multinomial logistic regressions. Results: Responses from 806 participants were retrieved. More nurses changed from vaccination refusal to hesitancy or acceptance than those changed from acceptance to vaccination hesitancy or refusal (15.5% vs 6.8% among all participants, P < 0.001). 40.0% participants intended to accept COVID-19 vaccination, and those in private sector (OR: 1.67, 95%CI: 1.11–2.51), with chronic conditions (OR: 1.83, 95%CI: 1.22–2.77), encountering with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients (OR: 1.63, 95%CI: 1.14–2.33), accepted influenza vaccination in 2019 (OR: 2.03, 95%CI: 1.47–2.81) had higher intentions to accept it. Reasons for refusal and hesitation for COVID-19 vaccination included "suspicion on efficacy, effectiveness and safety", "believing it unnecessary", and "no time to take it". Conclusion: With a low level of COVID-19 acceptance intentions and high proportion of hesitation in both influenza and COVID-19 vaccination, evidence-based planning are needed to improve the uptake of both vaccinations in advance of their implementation. Future studies are needed to explore reasons of change of influenza vaccination acceptance, look for actual behaviour patterns of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and examine effectiveness of promotion strategies.