3 years after the Covid-19 pandemic : the perception of healthcare workers towards Covid-19 booster vaccine in Malta

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: As Covid-19 virus continues to mutate and form new variants, booster vaccines still play a role in striving for herd immunity. This study aims to analyse the Covid-19 booster vaccine acceptance rate amongst the health care workers working in the surgical department in Malta. This study also explored reasons why healthcare workers did not take the Covid-19 booster vaccine.

METHOD: A cross-sectional study using an online anonymous survey was done between 25th November 2023 and 28th December 2023.

RESULTS: A total of 121 health care workers responded to the online questionnaire. From the 121 respondents 53.7% were female and 46.3% males. Participants were split between doctors (61.9%) and nurses (38.1%) of different grades. 99.2% of respondents were already inoculated against the Covid-19 virus. This study revealed a rate of booster vaccine acceptance of 20.8%. The major reasons for declining the booster vaccine were side-effects and concern about vaccine safety. Age was noted to be the biggest variable with only 10% of 20-30 taking the booster vaccine compared to 43.8% of 51–60-year-olds. Previous Covid-19 infection, being hospitalised or having a relative hospitalised due to Covid-19 infection were not motivating factors to increase booster vaccine uptake.

CONCLUSION: Overall there is relatively low booster acceptance among health care workers mainly due to concerns about vaccine safety, vaccine efficacy, and lack of trust. Introducing targeted education, risk communication and certain policies may help improve the perception towards Covid-19 booster doses which in turn may increase acceptance rate.