Health workers' Perceptions and REsponses in implementing COVID-19 Immunisation StratEgy in South Western Sydney (PRECISE): an observational study. Issue 4 (15th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chow, Josephine Sau Fan; D'Souza, Annamarie; Lane, Brian; Descallar, Joseph; Ford, Megan; Marshall, Sonia; Pennings, Susan
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 12:Issue 4(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04-15
• Subjects: Health policy -- Public health -- COVID-19; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To understand the views and motivations of healthcare workers at a vaccination hub who received a COVID-19 vaccination in March–May 2021. Study design: This is an observational study via an anonymous electronic survey of seven questions focus on where survey recipients received information about the vaccine roll-out, their motivations for receiving the vaccine and their level of comfort in receiving the vaccine. Setting: The Liverpool Vaccination Hub is located in South Western Sydney. Participants: Participants were healthcare workers who received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in the Australian Government's Phase 1a and 1b priority categories. The majority of survey respondents (70%) were female (median aged between 35 and 44 years). The majority of survey respondents were clinical workers, such as nurse, paramedics and doctors. Outcome measures: χ 2 analysis was used for analysis of survey responses in univariate analysis. Logistic regression was used to analyse survey responses, adjusting for week, type of health worker and age. Results: 4746 healthcare workers responded to the survey after receiving their first vaccine dose, a response rate of 23%. Over 90% of respondents said that COVID-19 vaccination information from their organisation was easily available. Most of them reported that they were comfortable receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. The majority of respondents were motivated to receive the vaccine due to concern about contracting COVID-19 themselves (75%), or concerns about transmitting it to other people such as patients (52%), family members (65%) or other community members (54%). Younger respondents were more likely to have preferred more information on vaccine safety (p<0.0001) and the effectiveness of the vaccine (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The majority of healthcare workers who received a COVID-19 vaccine reported that it was easy to find useful information about the vaccination roll-out and they had a positive experience being vaccinated.