The second dose of COVID-19 vaccine booster hesitancy among health care workers in China: A multicenter cross-sectional study

Ling Zhang, Yijin Wu, Shu Jing, Xin Liu, Tianrui Ren, Xiaoyang Liu, Zhenwei Dai, Jiaqi Fu, Xu Chen, Weijun Xiao, Yiman Huang, Hao Wang, Wenjun Wang, Xiaofen Gu, Li Ma, Shaokai Zhang, Yanqin Yu, Li Li, Xiaoyou Su*, Youlin Qiao

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak in China exposed health care workers (HCWs) to an increased risk of infection. The acquired immunity rapidly diminishes after the previous COVID-19 vaccination and the second booster vaccination has been recommended in several countries. HCWs are a priority group for vaccination because they are at increased risk of being infected, however, a certain amount of HCWs were hesitant. Methods: The survey was conducted among 5805 HCWs in China from January 5 to February 9, 2023. Questionnaire included sociodemographic information, COVID-19-related variables, psychological factors, and the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy scale. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the influencing factors of the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine booster hesitancy. Results: 42.2% of HCWs self-reported having the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine booster hesitancy. Occupations, years of working, COVID-19 infection status were associated with less vaccine hesitancy. HCWs who had received 3 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were less likely to be hesitant compared to those had not received. HCWs with PTSD symptoms and anxiety symptoms were more likely to be hesitant. No relation was observed between COVID-19 vaccine booster hesitancy and age, marriage, salary, and perceived an increased risk of COVID-19 infection due to work (all P > 0.05). Conclusions: A considerable proportion of HCWs were hesitant to accept the second dose of the COVID-19 booster vaccine. Incorporating vaccine knowledge and new evidence into routine health educations and procedures to raise confidence and reduce complacency may be effective and feasible in promoting the vaccination and implementing future vaccination programs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)525-532
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control
Volume52
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2024
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.

Keywords

  • Anxiety symptom
  • Confidence
  • Health education
  • Influencing factors
  • PTSD symptom
  • Vaccine hesitancy

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