COVID-19 vaccination status and motivators among Canadian healthcare workers: are they different from the general population?

Abstract Objectives. To determine the prevalence and correlates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Canadian healthcare workers (HCWs) and identify motivators for COVID-19 vaccination, compared to the general population (GPop). Methods. As part of the iCARE study, four cross-sectional age, sex, and province-weighted population-based samples of 12 009 Canadians aged 18+ years were recruited between May 2021 and February 2022. Participants self-reported HCW and vaccine status. Results. 738 participants identified as HCWs, with 8.5% being vaccine hesitant, vs. 12.6% of the GPop (p = .005). In multivariate analyses, those with a chronic disease were less likely (HCW OR = 0.34; GPop OR = 0.77) and parents with children 18 years of age in the household were more likely (HCW OR = 2.29; GPop OR = 1.39) to be vaccine hesitant. Needing only a one dose vaccine (86%; 82.6%), and vaccine safety (46%; 42%) and effectiveness (38%; 37%) were most likely to motivate hesitant HCWs and GPop to get vaccinated. Conclusion. Findings highlight less vaccine hesitancy in HCWs compared to the GPop, despite demographic and motivator correlates being similar. Policy Implications. Shared interventions emphasizing vaccine safety, reduced illness severity, shorter disease duration, and the advantages of single-dose options may benefit all groups.