Understanding occupational and attitudinal factors influencing UK healthcare worker decisions for COVID-19 and influenza vaccination: A cross-sectional survey within SIREN.

BACKGROUND

Seasonal vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) against COVID-19 and influenza has been recommended to protect patients and the workforce against Winter pressures. We aimed to investigate demographic, occupational, accessibility and tolerability factors associated with COVID-19 and influenza vaccination among HCWs within the SIREN study cohort in 2023/24.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey between 29 February-22 March 2024 within SIREN, a prospective HCW cohort across the UK. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) from a multivariable regression analysis were used to identify factors associated with vaccination. Proportions were calculated to describe the rationale for receiving/not receiving seasonal vaccines.

RESULTS

A total of 5357/33,007 (16.2 %) SIREN participants completed the survey. 66.7 % (3572/5357) received both vaccines, 2.4 % (129/5357) COVID-19 only, 12.4 % (662/5357) influenza only, and 18.3 % (979/5357) neither. Participants were more likely to receive any vaccine if they were over 65 years (aOR 2.73, 95 % CI: 1.64-4.55), a doctor (aOR 2.28, 95 % CI: 1.70-3.05) or had a chronic respiratory condition (aOR 1.52, 95 % CI: 1.20-1.92). Participants of Black ethnicity were less likely to be vaccinated (aOR 0.42, 95 % CI: 0.27-0.66). The top reason for vaccination was to protect oneself (81.6 %). Concern about long-term side effects was the main reason for not getting vaccinated among those who did not receive the COVID-19 vaccine (30.1 %).

DISCUSSION

We observed differences in uptake and attitudes towards seasonal vaccines among UK HCWs within the SIREN cohort. Differences in demographic characteristics, occupation and attitudes varied by vaccine type and this should be considered when planning seasonal vaccination programmes to protect the health workforce.