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.