ABSTRACT
IntroductionAlthough COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce morbidity and mortality, recent evidence suggests that immunity wanes after 6-9 months, and that a third vaccine dose could further reduce COVID-19 transmission and severe illness. However, previous studies have not assessed attitudes about getting booster doses. This study examined COVID-19 booster vaccine attitudes and behaviors among university students and staff in the fall of 2021. MethodsParticipants responded to an email invitation and completed electronic surveys. Results. In our sample, 96.2% of respondents indicated willingness to get a COVID-19 booster shot at least once per year. In both bivariate and multivariate analyses higher trust in science was associated with having higher odds of booster willingness. Those who identify as Black, on average, reported trusting science less than other racial/ethnic groups. ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate high willingness to receive a COVID-19 booster shot and highlight the importance of educational and motivational messages that focus on trust in science to increase willingness to get the COVID-19 booster. More research is needed to better understand the impact of cultural beliefs on booster willingness and vaccine hesitancy. This understanding will help determine what messages and populations to target to increase booster willingness in the future.
ABSTRACT
ImportanceIn addition to morbidity and mortality of individuals, COVID-19 can affect staffing among organizations. It is important to determine whether vaccination can mitigate this burden. Objective: This study examined the association between COVID-19 vaccination status and time until return to work among 952 healthcare workers (HCW) who tested positive for COVID-19. DesignData were collected prospectively between December 2020 and July 2021. HCW who tested positive for COVID-19 completed an initial interview and were followed until they returned to work. SettingAn academic campus in Southern California consisting of two large hospitals and multiple outpatient clinics and other facilities. ParticipantsClinical and nonclinical HCW who tested positive for COVID-19 during the study period (N=952, mean age=39.2 years, 69% female, 45% Hispanic, 14% white, 14% Asian/Pacific Islander, 5% African American, and 21% other race/ethnicity). ExposureCOVID-19 vaccination status (unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or fully vaccinated) Main Outcome MeasuresDays until return to work, presenting symptom ResultsReturn-to-work time for fully vaccinated HCWs (mean=10.9 days) was significantly shorter than that of partially vaccinated HCWs (15.5 days), which in turn was significantly shorter than that of unvaccinated HCWs (18.0 days). Fully vaccinated HCWs also showed milder symptom profiles compared to partially vaccinated and unvaccinated HCWs. Conclusions and RelevanceCOVID-19 vaccination has the potential to prevent long absences from work and the adverse financial, staffing, and managerial consequences of these long absences. KEY POINTSO_ST_ABSQuestionC_ST_ABSDo healthcare workers (HCW) who are vaccinated against COVID-19 return to work sooner and experience milder symptoms compared with unvaccinated HCW? FindingsAmong 952 healthcare workers who tested positive for COVID-19 between December 2020 and July 2021, return-to-work time for fully vaccinated HCWs (mean=10.9 days) was significantly shorter than that of partially vaccinated HCWs (15.5 days), which in turn was significantly shorter than that of unvaccinated HCWs (18.0 days). Fully vaccinated HCWs also showed milder symptom profiles compared to partially vaccinated and unvaccinated HCWs. MeaningCOVID-19 vaccination has the potential to prevent long absences from work and the adverse financial, staffing, and managerial consequences of these long absences.
ABSTRACT
BackgroundSchool-based COVID-19 testing is a potential strategy to facilitate the safe reopening of schools that have been closed due to the pandemic. This qualitative study assessed attitudes toward this strategy among four groups of stakeholders: school administrators, teachers, parents, and high school students. MethodsFocus groups and interviews were conducted in Los Angeles from December 2020 to January 2021 when schools were closed due to the high level of COVID transmission in the community. ResultsFindings indicated similarities and differences in attitudes toward in-school COVID-19 testing. All groups agreed that frequent in-school COVID-19 testing could increase the actual safety and perceived safety of the school environment. School administrators and teachers expressed pessimism about the financial cost and logistics of implementing a testing program. Parents supported frequent testing but expressed concerns about physical discomfort and stigma for students who test positive. Teachers and parents noted that testing would prevent parents from sending sick children to school. Students were in favor of testing because it would allow them to return to in-person school after a difficult year of online learning. ConclusionIn-school COVID-19 testing could be a useful component of school reopening plans and will be accepted by stakeholders if logistical and financial barriers can be surmounted and stigma from positive results can be minimized.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveThis study examined characteristics associated with being unvaccinated among a sample of university staff and faculty prior to university campus reopening for in-person learning in spring-summer 2021. MethodsStaff and faculty responded to an email invitation to complete an online survey. Survey questions included demographic data (race/ethnicity, age, sex), COVID-19 knowledge and behaviors, employment specific data including division and subdivision (healthcare vs. non-healthcare related division); and self-reported vaccination status. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine significant characteristics associated with the likelihood of being unvaccinated for COVID-19. ResultsParticipants identifying as Asian and Asian American, Hispanic/Latinx or Multicultural/Other had greater odds of being unvaccinated compared to Non-Hispanic White participants. Other characteristics associated with greater likelihood of being unvaccinated included working as university staff member (vs. faculty), older age, decrease in income, inability to work remotely and not traveling outside of Los Angeles area. Political affiliation as an Independent or as something else were more likely to be unvaccinated compared to participants identifying as Democrat. ConclusionsFindings suggest several factors associated with racial and social disparities may delay the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination. This study highlights the need for targeted educational interventions to promote vaccination among university staff and faculty.
ABSTRACT
ObjectivesDespite the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States, vaccine hesitancy remains high among certain groups. This study examined the correlates of being unvaccinated among a sample of university students (N=2900) during the spring and summer of 2021, when the campus had been closed for over a year and students were preparing to return to in-person learning. MethodsStudents responded to an email invitation and completed electronic surveys. Results. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, students were more likely to be unvaccinated if they were African American, identified with any political affiliation other than Democrat, were undergraduates or international students, had not traveled outside the Los Angeles during the pandemic, and/or had previously been ill with COVID-19. ConclusionFindings indicate that culturally resonant educational interventions, and possibly vaccine requirements, are needed to promote vaccination among university students.
