COVID-19 vaccine perceptions and uptake in a national prospective cohort of essential workers. Issue 3 (24th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lutrick, Karen; Groom, Holly; Fowlkes, Ashley L.; Groover, Kimberly D; Gaglani, Manjusha; Rivers, Patrick; Naleway, Allison L.; Nguyen, Kimberly; Herring, Meghan; Dunnigan, Kayan; Phillips, Andrew; Parker, Joel; Mayo Lamberte, Julie; Prather, Khaila; Thiese, Matthew S.; Baccam, Zoe; Tyner, Harmony; Yoon, Sarang
• Is Part Of: Vaccine. Volume 40:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 494
• Page End: 502
• Publication Date: 2022-01-24
• Subjects: FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration -- CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- EUA Emergency Use Authorization -- KAP Knowledge, attitudes, and practices -- HEROES Arizona Healthcare, Emergency Response and Other Essential Workers Surveillance RECOVER Study and Research on the Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Essential Response Personnel -- H-R HEROES-RECOVER -- HCP Health care personnel -- FW Frontline workers -- PPE Personal protective equipment; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.11.094
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-410X

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: In a multi-center prospective cohort of essential workers, we assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) by vaccine intention, prior SARS-CoV-2 positivity, and occupation, and their impact on vaccine uptake over time. Methods: Initiated in July 2020, the HEROES-RECOVER cohort provided socio-demographics and COVID-19 vaccination data. Using two follow-up surveys approximately three months apart, COVID-19 vaccine KAP, intention, and receipt was collected; the first survey categorized participants as reluctant, reachable, or endorser. Results: A total of 4, 803 participants were included in the analysis. Most (70%) were vaccine endorsers, 16% were reachable, and 14% were reluctant. By May 2021, 77% had received at least one vaccine dose. KAP responses strongly predicted vaccine uptake, particularly positive attitudes about safety (aOR = 5.46, 95% CI: 1.4–20.8) and effectiveness (aOR = 5.0, 95% CI: 1.3–19.1). Participants' with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection were 22% less likely to believe the COVID-19 vaccine was effective compared with uninfected participants (aOR 0.78, 95% CI: 0.64–0.96). This was even more pronounced in first responders compared with other occupations, with first responders 42% less likely to believe in COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (aOR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.40–0.84). Between administrations of the two surveys, 25% of reluctant, 56% reachable, and 83% of endorser groups received the COVID-19 vaccine. The reachable group had large increases in positive responses for questions about vaccine safety (10% of vaccinated, 34% of unvaccinated), and vaccine effectiveness (12% of vaccinated, 27% of unvaccinated). Discussion: Our study demonstrates attitudes associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake and a positive shift in attitudes over time. First responders, despite potential high exposure to SARS-CoV-2, and participants with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection were more vaccine reluctant. Conclusions: Perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine can shift over time. Targeting messages about the vaccine's safety and effectiveness in reducing SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and illness severity may increase vaccine uptake for reluctant and reachable participants.