Cross-sectional study on the seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccination intentions of healthcare professionals: which levers for vaccine promotion? [French]

ABSTRACT

In France, a high vaccine coverage among healthcare workers against seasonal flu is an important public health objective, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic. We published an online questionnaire targeting all French healthcare workers investigating previous flu vaccination and intention for vaccination against the 2020-21 flu and COVID-19. The study invitation was disseminated through the GERES network during summer 2020. Among 3,556 participants, the majority worked in a hospital or nursing home setting. The results illustrate, for both vaccinations, the gradient of vaccine uptake across professional categories, higher among physicians than among nurses and weaker among nurse assistants. The results suggest that uptake could be improved by targeting promotion on healthcare workers who were occasionally vaccinated during past years and by improving access. Hypothetical acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination correlated with flu vaccination during recent years, even if performed sporadically.