COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among HCWs

Editor's Note

This study by researchers from the University of Illinois Chicago finds that about 3 in 20 healthcare workers (HCWs) surveyed reported being hesitant about getting COVID-19 vaccinations. The study also finds that HCW vaccine decisions were influenced by their colleagues.

The survey included 1,974 respondents from three Chicago healthcare systems: UI Health, Rush University Medical Center, and Advocate Aurora Health.

Among the HCWs surveyed, 99% of physicians were planning vaccination, but only 82% of nurses were.

Vaccine-hesitant HCWs tended to be:

• younger in age
• nonphysicians
• Black or African American
• Republican
• allergic to any vaccine component
• worried about the vaccine’s effect on their bodies or those of a fetus or newborn
• concerned about insufficient evidence for the vaccine’s effectiveness.

HCWs were more likely to be vaccinated if they believed colleagues and others close to them thought COVID-19 vaccination was important.

The data also demonstrated that the decision of HCWs to vaccinate was least influenced by mass media marketing.

Differences stemming from distrust of government, media, and medical institutions to deliver safe and effective care reflect a need for improved communication among HCWs and between providers and patients, the researchers say.