Attitudes of healthcare workers toward pertussis vaccination

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the attitudes of pediatric healthcare workers (HCWs) toward pertussis vaccination. Method: A survey was conducted among pediatric HCWs, using an anonymous questionnaire, at a university children’s hospital. Results: Of 298 eligible employees, 121 (40.6%) completed the questionnaire. Lack of information regarding the personal risk of acquiring a pertussis infection and fear of side effects were frequently associated with the refusal of getting immunized. Conclusion: Misconception about pertussis vaccination was prevalent, especially among nursing staff, who are in even closer contact with at-risk children than physicians. Intervention strategies should be designed with focus on nursing staff. Our findings confirm the importance of comprehensive approaches for more education on HCWs to improve acceptance of vaccination.

Keywords::

• healthcare worker
• pertussis
• vaccine uptake rate

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.