Who is getting boosted? Disparities in COVID-19 vaccine booster uptake among health care workers.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Farah W
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9918311 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Who is getting boosted? Disparities in COVID-19 vaccine booster uptake among health care workers.
Farah Wigdan W Breeher Laura E LE Hainy Caitlin M CM Tommaso Christopher P CP Swift Melanie D MD
Vaccine: X 20230211
COVID-19 vaccination remains one of the most effective tools to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Unfortunately, vaccine hesitancy has limited primary vaccination and booster uptake among the general population and HCWs. To gain a better understanding of factors associated with booster vaccine uptake, we analyzed COVID-19 vaccine booster rates among HCWs and identified risk factors associated with nonacceptance. Of the 62,387 HCWs included in our analysis, the overall booster uptake rate ...[more]
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Project description:BackgroundDespite completing the COVID-19 vaccination series, healthcare workers (HCWs) remain at an elevated risk of re-infection. Booster uptake, though essential for this group, remains poorly characterized among Bangladeshi HCWs. This study identified the prevalence and driving factors behind booster hesitancy among Bangladeshi HCWs, providing valuable insights for targeted interventions.MethodFrom December 2022 to June 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among 1772 HCWs enrolled from 20 healthcare facilities of all tiers purposively selected across four administrative divisions of Bangladesh. We collected information through face-to-face interviews regarding their sociodemographic, pre-existing, and currently existing medical conditions, COVID-19 vaccination status, and their intention, hesitancy, and willingness to receive future booster doses. We used a multivariable logistic regression model to analyze factors associated with booster hesitancy. Odd's ratio with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated for each factor, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.ResultOf the 1772 HCWs interviewed in our study, 49% (879) were nurses [median age 36 years (IQR: 30.0-46.0)]; 69% were female. Among the respondents, 94% (1667) were willing to take a booster, and 6% (105) showed hesitancy. Safety concerns, especially regarding potential side effects post-booster administration (86%), emerged as the leading cause of booster hesitancy among healthcare workers. Our multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that support staff, compared to physicians, were the most hesitant to receive any additional booster dose (aOR 4.68, 95% CI: 1.56-9.03; p=0.006). Compared to rural residency, HCWs with an urban residency type were also more reluctant to receive booster doses (aOR 4.45, 95% CI: 2.03-9.73; p < 0.001).ConclusionConcerns about side effects following booster administration were the primary driver of hesitancy in our study. Targeted interventions focusing on education and addressing these anxieties-supported by evidence-based communication strategies-could play a crucial role in improving booster acceptance and safeguarding this vulnerable workforce.
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