Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mass vaccination is a key preventive approach against COVID-19 pandemic and governments have prioritized health care workers (HCWs) for vaccination. HCWs are the frontline army of the COVID-19 pandemic and are at a high risk of infection. Some studies have documented that not the entire HCWS are ready to accept COVID-19 vaccines, when offered in their country. HCW acceptance or rejection, can influence the general population's perception towards COVID-19 vaccines. Thus the study was planned to determine the COVID‐19 vaccine perception and to improve vaccine awareness among HCWS of Maharashtra, India
MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWS of Noor hospital from 1 June – 14 June 2021 through  self-reported, structured questionnaire prepared from prior  evidence from studies on vaccine perception among HCWS and general population.
RESULTS: Out of 392, 300 HCWS (response rate 76.53%) had completely filled the online survey questionnaire. In present study 87% of the participant were agreed to take COVID-19 vaccine  and 13% were reluctant to take it.  Acceptance for vaccine was more in doctors (94.80%) and nurses (89.92%) than pharmacist (80.76%) and laboratory technicians (75%).
CONCLUSION: Vaccine acceptance is more in doctors and nurses as compared to pharmacist and technical staff. Vaccine acceptance is influenced by academic level, exposure to infection in family and inadequate information regarding vaccine.