The Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers: an exploration of hesitancy reasons and suggestions to improve vaccination rates

Abstract

Objective: Vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers (HCWs) represents a significant challenge and threat in pandemics. This study aims to identify the predictive factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among HCWs and offer strategies to increase the COVID-19 vaccination rate in healthcare settings. Materials and Methods: This study constitutes the qualitative portion (second part) of a mixed -methods doctoral thesis employing an explanatory design. It was conducted in two distinct pandemic hospitals and involved 23 vaccine -hesitant HCWs. To conduct the interviews, the researchers developed a semi -structured interview form based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). Results: Upon analyzing the in-depth interviews, we identified six primary reasons for vaccine hesitancy and four different sub -reasons that reinforce vaccine hesitancy. We also collected four key suggestions from vaccine -hesitant HCWs that could potentially persuade them to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: This study's findings, which encompass the identification of reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, clarification of underlying factors contributing to hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccines, and gathering suggestions from HCWs on how to persuade them to get vaccinated, hold significant value for guiding vaccination campaigns during potential future pandemics.