Awareness of healthcare professionals about risk minimization measures associated with COVID-19 vaccines: international cross-sectional study

Abstract

The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused the global healthcare to face one of the most significant challenges since the World Health Organization was founded over 70 years ago. The development and approval of marketing authorization for vaccines with the COVID-19 indication represents an opportunity to address this public health threat. The aim of this study is to analyze the awareness of healthcare professionals (HCPs) on the benefit-risk balance, safety, and risk minimization measures associated with vaccine administration. This is an open-label, prospective, 1-year cross-sectional study (2021–2022). It was conducted using the indirect anonymous survey method by completing an online and paper questionnaire containing open and close-ended questions. The results obtained locally and internationally were validated, systematized, compared, and analyzed. The study included 344 HCPs from 40 countries on six continents. The data show that among HCPs, the highest proportion are pharmacists and doctors in the age group of 21–30 years. А 20% difference in results was observed regarding the statement that vaccines approved for use are of high quality, efficacious, and safe, 68% (on local level) and 88% (on global level) of the respondents agreeing. On the other hand, ∼80% of HCPs both in Bulgaria and abroad felt that they need additional professional data for the vaccines authorized for use. Surveys assessing the awareness and attitudes of HCPs regarding risk management and adverse reactions are key to increasing the level of informed decision-making and can help fighting the world infodemic with data from trusted sources.

Keywords:

• Awareness
• risk-minimizing measures
• safety
• COVID-19 vaccines

Acknowledgements

The authors also want to thank the WHO’s Collaborating Centre for International Drug Monitoring at Uppsala Monitoring Centre for their support in the dissemination of the questionnaire on the international level.

Author contributions

DP and VGK created the questionnaire and collected data. DP analyzed the data and drafted the manuscript. MD, IG, and AS reviewed the results and participated in drafting the manuscript and its final revision. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings reported in this study are available from the corresponding author [MD] upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the European Union-Next Generation EU, through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Republic of Bulgaria, project No. BG-RRP-2.004-0004-C01.