COVID-19 vaccination knowledge, attitudes, and practices within a majority Hispanic/Latino pediatric healthcare system.

PURPOSE

Early COVID-19 vaccine uptake remains unexplored among Hispanic/Latino pediatric healthcare workers (HCWs). This study examined COVID-19 vaccination knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among a sample of predominantly Hispanic/Latino pediatric HCWs.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Employees in a pediatric health system completed an online KAP survey May 3-July 31, 2021 (n = 643, 59 % Hispanic/Latino). A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used to capture perceptions and behaviors regarding COVID-19 vaccination. A Firth corrected logistic regression was conducted to identify significant predictors of COVID-19 vaccination.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight percent of the sample reported they were willing or already vaccinated for COVID-19, 12 % reported vaccine hesitancy. Within our Hispanic/Latino subsample, 86 % were vaccine willing or vaccinated. Significant predictors of COVID-19 vaccination included age, considering COVID-19 a threat to U.S. health, no previous COVID-19 infection, flu vaccination, attitude that vaccines are safe, and job role. COVID-19 information sources varied between groups. Race/ethnicity did not predict vaccination. Vaccine-hesitant participants reported concerns related to long-term health effects, vaccine distrust, and fertility.

CONCLUSIONS

Vaccine acceptance was generally supported within our sample. Race/ethnicity did not predict vaccine hesitancy within our majority Hispanic/Latino sample. A subset of participants did report vaccine hesitancy however, with concerns including long-term health effects, vaccine distrust, and fertility.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Pediatric nurses can serve as a barometer for public opinion on vaccination and may serve as a trusted source of health information for racially and ethnically diverse communities. Understanding nurses' attitudes and opinions related to vaccination is recommended as part of public messaging for future immunization campaigns.