Vaccine hesitancy is a global threat to public health contributed by misinformation and lay beliefs about diseases and health. Our study aimed to assess preparedness and intent to receive COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in a single institution in northwest Malaysia and assess the feasibility and efficacy of our mobile education programme to overcome vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers. Our initial survey among 1,616 respondents found that 25.3% of healthcare workers either refused or were hesitant towards COVID-19 vaccination; 238 respondents (58.2%) of which with no absolute clinical contraindication. Our multifaceted mobile education programme involved: (i) series of continuous medical education (CMEs) to 72 elected liaison officers, (ii) small scale briefing session to individual unit and/or department upon request, and (iii) a one-to-one counselling session upon request. The programme took the course of over four weeks prior to the actual vaccination drive. Re-assessment of intent to receive COVID-19 vaccine found a significant reduction of healthcare workers refusing COVID-19 vaccination without absolute contraindication (25.3% vs. 2.8%). The most common reasons cited among those who were still hesitant were due to pregnancy (non-first trimester) and planning to conceive in the near future. Our study demonstrated the efficacy of physical interaction and teaching session to allow rapid communication and gives better understanding, particularly when dealing with myths, misinformation and misconception related to COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: Mobile Education Initiatives to Improve Vaccination Uptake among Healthcare Workers
Abstrak
Keraguan vaksin adalah ancaman global terhadap kesihatan awam yang disebabkan oleh penyampaian dan penerimaan maklumat salah tentang penyakit dan kesihatan. Kajian kami bertujuan untuk menilai kesediaan dan niat untuk menerima vaksin COVID-19 dalam kalangan pekerja kesihatan di satu institusi di Semenanjung Malaysia dan menilai kebolehlaksanaan dan keberkesanan program pendidikan untuk mengatasi masalah keraguan vaksin dalam kalangan pekerja kesihatan. Tinjauan awal kami dalam kalangan 1,616 responden mendapati bahawa 25.3% pekerja kesihatan sama ada enggan atau teragak-agak terhadap vaksinasi COVID-19; 238 responden (58.2%) daripadanya tidak mempunyai kontraindikasi klinikal mutlak. Program pendidikan mudah alih pelbagai aspek telah dilaksanakan melibatkan antaranya (i) siri pendidikan perubatan berterusan (CME) kepada 72 pegawai perhubungan yang dipilih, (ii) sesi taklimat berskala kecil kepada unit individu dan/atau jabatan atas permintaan, dan (iii) sesi kaunseling individu atas permintaan. Program ini mengambil masa lebih empat minggu sebelum pelaksanaan program vaksinasi kebangsaan melibatkan pekerja kesihatan. Penilaian semula penerimaan vaksin COVID-19 dalam kalangan pekerja kesihatan mendapati terdapat pengurangan ketara golongan yang menolak vaksinasi COVID-19 tanpa kontraindikasi mutlak (25.3% berbanding 2.8%). Sebab utama yang diberikan antara mereka yang masih teragak-agak untuk menerima vaksin adalah kerana kehamilan (bukan trimester pertama) dan merancang untuk hamil dalam masa terdekat. Oleh yang demikian, kajian kami menunjukkan keberkesanan interaksi fizikal dan sesi pengajaran dalam menghasilkan komunikasi efektif dan memberikan pemahaman yang lebih baik, terutamanya apabila menangani mitos, maklumat salah dan salah tanggapan berkaitan vaksin COVID-19.
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