Prevalence and Factors Affecting Willingness to Accept or Refuse Vaccination against COVID-19 among Healthcare Professionals in Southern Tunisia.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread throughout the world causing serious morbidity and mortality. Health care professionals (HCP) are on the front line in the face of this pandemic and are identified as priorities for COVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed to estimate the acceptability rate of the COVID-19 vaccination among HCP and to identify their predisposing factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire including a randomized sample of HCP in Southern Tunisia, on March-April 2021. Results: Among 300 participants, the COVID-19 vaccine acceptability rate was 65.3%. Factors independently associated with vaccine acceptability were age groups <30 years [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=4.36; p  = 0.002)], urbanity of residence (AOR = 3.44; p  = 0.027), medical professional category (AOR = 2.69; p  = 0.023) and caring for coronavirus infected patients (AOR = 2.32; p  = 0.047). Belief that COVID-19 vaccination is important to work safely as a health care provider (AOR = 3.26; p  = 0.013), should be available for all HCP (AOR = 17.98; p  = 0.004) and has been quickly developed before it has been thoroughly vetted and tested for efficacy and safety (AOR = 5.88; p  < 0.01) were independently associated with willingness to accept vaccine. Planning to get a COVID-19 vaccine for the next years and recommending it to the family were independent predictive factors of accepting COVID-19 vaccine ((AOR = 6.88; p  < 0.001) and (AOR = 25.03; p  < 0.001), respectively). Conclusion: The acceptance rate of vaccination against COVID-19 among Tunisian HCP is still low in South Tunisian hospitals. Socio-demographic, cultural and professional factors predisposing to the vaccination willingness were highlighted. Combating the vaccine hesitancy of HCP through enhancing sensibilization campaigns is essential to promote vaccination in general population.