[en] New COVID-19 strains and waning vaccine effectiveness prompted initiatives for booster vaccination. In Belgium, healthcare providers (HCPs) received a second booster in July 2022, with eligible individuals receiving a third in autumn. Primary HCPs (PHCPs) play a crucial role in healthcare organization and patient communication. This study, conducted in February-March 2023, surveyed 1900 Belgian PHCPs to assess their views on periodic COVID-19 boosters for themselves and their patients. The survey included questions on sociodemographic information, willingness to receive periodic COVID-19 boosters, reasons for acceptance or refusal, confidence in vaccine safety and efficacy, and views on booster recommendations. Overall, 86% of participants were willing to receive periodic COVID-19 boosters, motivated by self-protection, patient well-being, and the uninterrupted delivery of healthcare services. Factors influencing booster refusal included not being a general practitioner (GP) or GP trainee, working in Wallonia or Brussels, and lacking vaccine confidence. Although 243 participants would not take boosters periodically, only 74 would not recommend it. Regarding administration, 59% supported pharmacist involvement in COVID-19 vaccination. Further qualitative analysis of 290 PHCPs' responses revealed varying recommendations, including specific roles like nurses, organizational structures, and collaborative approaches. This study highlights the need to address vaccine confidence, regional disparities, and PHCP roles in booster implementation.
Van Ngoc, Pauline ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Soins primaires et santé
Domen, Julie; Department of Family Medicine and Population Health (FAMPOP), Centre for General Practice, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
Bognar, Zsofia; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium ; ECDC Fellowship Programme, Field Epidemiology Path (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), 171 83 Stockholm, Sweden
Duysburgh, Els; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Hendrickx, Greet ; Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
Van Damme, Pierre; Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
Coenen, Samuel ; Department of Family Medicine and Population Health (FAMPOP), Centre for General Practice, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerpen, Belgium
Scholtes, Béatrice ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences cliniques > Médecine générale
Language :
English
Title :
Primary Healthcare Providers' Views on Periodic COVID-19 Booster Vaccination for Themselves and Their Patients: A 2023 Nationwide Survey in Belgium.
Publication date :
03 July 2024
Journal title :
Vaccines
ISSN :
2076-393X
Publisher :
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), Switzerland
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