Determinants of Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination in Healthcare and Public Health Professionals: A Review

Vaccinations of healthcare workers (HCWs) aim to directly protect them from occupational diseases, and indirectly protect their patients and communities. However, studies increasingly highlight that HCWs can be vaccine hesitant. This review aims to analyze HCWs' and public health professionals' sentiments toward COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) vaccination and determinants across different countries. A search strategy was conducted in PubMed using keywords such as COVID-19, sentiment/acceptance, healthcare workers, vaccine hesitancy, and influenza. A total of 56 articles were selected for in-depth analyses. The highest COVID-19 vaccination uptake was found in an Italian study (98.9%), and the lowest in Cyprus (30%). Older age, male gender, the medical profession, higher education level, presence of comorbidities, and previous influenza vaccination were associated with vaccine acceptance. Factors for low acceptance were perceived side effects of the vaccine, perceived lack of effectiveness and efficacy, and lack of information and knowledge. Factors for acceptance were knowledge, confidence in the vaccine, government, and health authorities, and increased perception of fear and susceptibility. All studies focused on healthcare providers; no studies focusing on public health professionals' sentiments could be found, indicating a gap in research that needs to be addressed. Interventions must be implemented with vaccination campaigns to improve COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

Automated summary

This review analyzes the sentiments and determinants of healthcare workers' and public health professionals' acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination across different countries. The study finds variations in vaccine acceptance rates, with the highest being in Italy (98.9%) and the lowest in Cyprus (30%). Factors associated with vaccine acceptance include age, gender, profession, education level, comorbidities, and previous influenza vaccination. Factors for low acceptance include perceived side effects, lack of effectiveness, and lack of information. The study also highlights the need for research on public health professionals' sentiments towards vaccination. Interventions, including vaccination campaigns, are necessary to improve COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.