Occupational Health Providers’ Perceptions of Employee Vaccine Hesitancy

Abstract

Objective This study examined the perspectives of occupational health providers (OHPs) on the most frequently encountered clinically relevant reasons for employee vaccine hesitancy. Methods We conducted an anonymous, online, cross-sectional survey of US OHPs (N = 217). The survey asked OHPs about the major reasons that employees cite for being unwilling to receive the following three categories of vaccines: COVID-19, annual influenza, and others relevant to the workplace. Results Concern about adverse effects was the most frequently reported reason for employee vaccine hesitancy for each vaccine category. Mistrust was reported more frequently for COVID-19 than for the influenza vaccine or other vaccines (χ2 P < 0.05). Targets of employee mistrust included government and researchers or scientists, but mistrust of healthcare providers was uncommon. Conclusions These results can be used to inform interventions to address vaccine hesitancy in the occupational health setting.