Biomedical Research

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant mortality and morbidity world over, besides compromising the economic and social well-being of people. COVID-19 vaccination has been the most effective way to contain the pandemic, however, it is expected that protection declines with time. Therefore, now recommended the use of the booster dose.

Aim: To assess the knowledge and attitude of Health Care Workers (HCWs) in a tertiary-care hospital towards COVID-19 vaccination, including the booster dose.

Methodology: This is a cross-sectional, self-administered, online questionnaire based study. The questionnaire was forwarded to HCWs including doctors, paramedical, office, technical and non-technical staff, as Google forms. Follow-up with senior staff of respective departments was done to encourage their staff to fill the form. Assistance was provided if any difficulty arose while filling the form. The questionnaire included demographic details, comorbidities, history of vaccination, attitude towards adverse events experienced, booster dose, and vaccination for children. Data was analyzed descriptively.

Results: In this study, responses were received from 298 participants. With mean age 31.2 ± 13.5 years. 179 (60.1%) were females. Majority of responders were vaccinated (87%) with two doses. Only 153 (51%) participants agree that vaccines will prevent COVID-19 infection, however, 136 (46%) of the 298 participants strongly agree, 106 (36%) agree that vaccines will prevent progression to severe infection. Majority of the responders 272 (91%) were willing to receive the booster dose, and 217 (73 %) recommended vaccination for children. Adverse events were experienced by 134 (45%) participants most of which were resolved with symptomatic management. While 3 subjects required hospitalization for Serious Adverse Events (SAE) including fever, chest pain, syncope respectively. They were discharged after the SAE was resolved. Survey shows 244 (81.8%) responders consider vaccines to be safe.

Conclusion: In this survey, the majority of the HCWs have received vaccination and believe vaccines may be effective in preventing progression to severe COVID-19 infection. HCWs were willing to take the booster dose, and recommend vaccination for children. Overall, we conclude that HCWs had a favourable attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Author(s): Penugonda Sravanasandhya, Vuppalanchi Bhavani, Mekala Padmaja, Pingali Usha Rani

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