In France, HCWs were given priority for COVID-19 vaccination since they are at a higher risk of infection in the course of their work. In spite of this technique, roughly 34% of SARS-COV-2 illnesses were reported in hospitals in February of 2021.
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Covid Vaccine Compulsory For Health Care Workers in France
This report highlighted the importance of HCWs getting vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect themselves, their patients, their families, and anyone else who came into contact with them.
Whether or not a person chooses to get vaccinated is influenced by their own beliefs, the counsel they get, and their current immunisation status. Vaccine hesitancy is a major barrier to COVID-19 vaccination and was a major issue after the vaccines were approved in France.
The quick development of COVID-19 vaccinations in comparison to any other vaccines is one reason that contributes to vaccine reluctance among French HCWs. Additionally, a number of new vaccines were created, the vast majority of which were granted EUAs by international agencies.
In order to make sound public health policy, it is crucial to comprehend the factors that influence people’s propensity to get vaccinated against COVID19. Recently published in Vaccines is a study describing the findings of semi-structured qualitative interviews with HCWs to identify factors associated with their vaccine reluctance.
This Study’s Abstract
This qualitative research was conducted in France between January 2021 and April 2021, at the start of the country’s nationwide COVID-19 immunisation campaign. The opinion of HCWs toward the COVID-19 vaccination was gathered through semi-structured, one-on-one interviews.
The study relied on a theoretical framework connected with a thorough behavioural model of COVID-19 vaccination. The primary idea behind the vaccine hesitancy model was that it provided a framework for making sense of people’s vaccination habits in light of the various approaches that could be taken to address this issue.
Comprehensive behavioural model created to examine the behavioural variables connected to vaccination.
This model was developed using cross-study analysis of the CoVaPred study results, behavioural theories connected with preventative measures, and meta-analyses and systemic reviews of the non-mandatory vaccination aim (for example, influenza vaccine).
This theoretical model was developed to aid in the identification of important drivers of vaccine reluctance and the development of initiatives to increase immunisation rates.
Conclusive Results
Among French HCWs, a high degree of confidence in the suggested vaccinations was the most important factor in determining their intention to get vaccinated against COVID19. Immunization reluctance was also influenced by individuals’ or representatives’ prior experiences with the disease and vaccination.
HCWs were affected by the media’s portrayal of the importance of COVID-19 vaccination. As with the general population, the opinion and vaccination status of those in the HCW setting played a role in shaping the decision to get vaccinated.
Surprisingly, the parameters suggested by the comprehensive behavioural model of COVID-19 vaccination in the general population were similar with the newly identified predictors of HCWs’ vaccination intention.
Notably, HCWs’ vaccination intentions were impacted by their knowledge, trust in health and political institutions, personal behaviours, and perception of the vaccination norm.
HCWs, Like the General Public, Needed Reassurance About the Safety and Effectiveness of the Vaccination.
Concerns were voiced after France established a policy requiring all HCWs to get vaccinated in October 2021. Because of this coercive strategy, HCWs are even more reluctant to get vaccines.
The great efficacy and known short- and long-term negative effects of COVID-19 vaccinations inspired confidence in their use.
The numerous scandals and difficulties surrounding the Vaxzevria vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca have undermined faith in COVID-19 vaccines in France. As a result, it is critical to disseminate information regarding the benefits of vaccination and the risks associated with it.
France took preventative precautions to manage the epidemic in line with many other governments around the world. These actions, however, sparked backlash and elevated vaccination to a political issue.
After being exposed to COVID-19 on a daily basis without becoming ill, some HCWs said in interviews that they no longer felt threatened by the virus. They weren’t planning to get vaccinated since they didn’t think it was necessary.
Interestingly, doctors’ high levels of trust in COVID-19 vaccines may be attributable to their greater ease of access to reliable data. This finding indicates how widespread access to accurate information could increase immunisation rates.
Conclusions
Results should be interpreted with caution because the study population was limited to HCWs from a single region. The interviews also took place in a situation that was constantly shifting because the French government periodically revised its vaccination priorities and the categories of people who should receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, the current study revealed various factors that caused vaccine hesitancy, and these are all modifiable to better the existing state of affairs.
