Vaccine hesitancy in the University of Malta Faculties of Health Sciences, Dentistry and Medicine vis-à-vis influenza and novel COVID-19 vaccination.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 continues unabated and vaccine hesitancy is a chronic public health threat that may undermine efforts to achieve herd immunity for this pandemic by vaccination. A questionnaire was carried out in the University of Malta Faculties of Health Sciences, Dentistry and Medicine to ascertain degree of vaccine hesitancy vis-à-vis influenza and COVID-19 vaccination.

METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was sent through the faculty Deans and the respective secretaries via Google forms.

RESULTS: The response rate was 23% (n = 852). The percentages of who took the influenza vaccine last year and who will take it this year increased at all ages, highest for Medicine and Academics. For COVID-19 vaccination, unlikely, undecided and likely to take were 30.5/25.3/44.2% respectively. Medicine and Academics was also likeliest to take, as were males overall. The proportion of those likelier to take the COVID-19 vaccine was directly related to likelihood of taking influenza vaccination. Concerns pertaining to COVID-19 vaccination were related to insufficient knowledge about such a vaccine and potential long-term side effects.

DISCUSSION: The increased influenza vaccine uptake is unsurprising in view of the current heightened awareness of respiratory disease. The hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccination is of concern particularly in this health related group who should be better informed. The association of vaccine hesitancy for COVID-19 with influenza vaccination infers an intrinsic degree of vaccine hesitancy. Far more must be done in order to educate not only the public but also healthcare workers and students with regard to the advantages and safety of vaccines.