COVID-19 Vaccine Intent Among Health Care Professionals of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados

Abstract

Kandamaran Krishnamurthy,1 Natasha Sobers,2 Alok Kumar,1 Nkemcho Ojeh,1 Andrea Scott,3 Clyde Cave,3 Subir Gupta,1 Joanne Bradford-King,3 Bidyadhar Sa,4 Oswald Peter Adams,1 Michael H Campbell,1 Md Anwarul Azim Majumder1 1Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, Barbados; 2Caribbean Institute for Health Research, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, Barbados; 3The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bridgetown, Barbados; 4Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and TobagoCorrespondence: Md Anwarul Azim MajumderFaculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Bridgetown, BarbadosEmail [email protected]: Due to increased exposure risk and the potential impact of COVID-19 infection, health care professionals (HCP) are a target group for COVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed to examine the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines among HCP at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados.Design and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of HCP was conducted between February 14 and 27, 2021 using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic information, knowledge of novel coronavirus, intention to accept the COVID-19 vaccination, vaccine literacy (VL), and perceptions and attitudes regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Mean VL scores were calculated. The relationship between socio-demographic variables and vaccine intent was assessed using a multivariable logistic regression model.Results: Of 343 HCPs, 55.1% indicated they would accept the COVID-19 vaccine if it were available; 44.9% expressed hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccine. We assessed the impact of socio-demographic factors and previous vaccine behavior on vaccine intent; after adjustment of the multivariable logistic regression model, non-Barbadian nationality and previous flu vaccine uptake were statistically significant predictors of reported intent to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Persons who indicated that they would take the vaccine had a higher mean vaccine literacy score [3.46 95% CI (3.40, 3.52)] than those who were not ready to take the vaccine immediately [3.23 95% CI (3.15, 3.30)]. VL scores were higher among the 29.5% of HCPs who believed vaccines should be mandatory.Conclusion: This study highlighted vaccine hesitancy among HCPs in the sole public tertiary hospital of Barbados. As HCP perceptions may help or hinder the campaign to promote vaccine uptake in Barbados, vaccine promotion programs targeting HCPs are needed to ensure the success of the country’s COVID-19 vaccination drive.Keywords: vaccine intake, vaccine hesitancy, vaccine literacy, healthcare professionals, COVID-19, Barbados

Keywords

• vaccine intake
• vaccine hesitancy
• vaccine literacy
• healthcare professionals
• covid-19
• barbados.