Vaccine hesitancy among Maltese healthcare workers vis-à-vis influenza and COVID-19 vaccination

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Vaccine hesitancy is a chronic public health threat. This study was carried out to ascertain Maltese healthcare workers’ hesitancy to COVID-19 vaccination and correlate this with influenza vaccine uptake.

METHODS: A short, anonymous questionnaire was sent out to all of Malta’s government sector healthcare workers via the service’s standard email services (11-19/09/2020). A total of 9,681 questionnaires were posted electronically, with 10.4% response.

RESULTS: The proportion of Maltese healthcare workers who “will take” the influenza vaccine increased significantly. Doctors had the highest baseline uptake and highest likely influenza vaccine uptake next winter. The likely/undecided/unlikely to take a COVID-19 vaccine were 52/22/26% respectively. Males were likelier to take the vaccine. Doctors had the highest projected likelihood to take vaccines. Likelihood of taking COVID-19 vaccine was directly related to the likelihood of influenza vaccination. Concerns raised were related to insufficient knowledge about such a novel vaccine, especially unknown long term side effects.

DISCUSSION: The anticipated increased uptake of influenza vaccine is probably due to increased awareness of respiratory viral illness. Doctors may have higher vaccine uptakes due to greater awareness and knowledge of vaccine safety. The proportions of who are likely/undecided/unlikely (half, quarter, quarter respectively) to take a COVID-19 are similar to rates reported in other countries. The higher male inclination to take the vaccine may be due the innate male propensity for perceived risk taking. Shared COVID-19 with influenza vaccine hesitancy implies an innate degree of vaccine reluctance/hesitancy and not merely reluctance based on novel vaccine knowledge gap.