The impact of vaccine beliefs on the COVID-19 vaccination among Polish medical staff and students: A cross-sectional study

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination of healthcare professionals (HCPs) can effectively prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in patients. However, some HCPs remain vaccine-hesitant. This study aimed to assess beliefs towards COVID-19 vaccination and their impact on immunization practice among medical hospital staff and students. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to October 2024 in Lubuskie province, Poland, involving staff from 7 randomly selected hospitals and medical students of the University of Zielona Góra who completed a self-administered, anonymous online questionnaire. Respondents were divided into 4 groups based on their beliefs about the pandemic, the COVID-19 vaccine, and vaccination. Of 256 participants (70.3% female; 70.7% aged ≤30 years, 53.9% hospital staff, 46.1% medical students), 65.2% reported having positive beliefs toward COVID-19 vaccination; 36% indicated that the COVID-19 vaccine’s development was too rapid compared with traditional vaccines. Most participants received 3 or 4 doses (44.3% and 18.4%, respectively), while 29.1% received 2 doses, and the remaining 8.2% received 1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine; 4.8% did not receive any dose. Those with pro-vaccination views had a higher socioeconomic status ( P = .02). The relationship between the intensity of pro-vaccination beliefs and vaccination was statistically significant (in groups with positive views, vaccination with any dose was reported by 100%; in moderately negative views, 92%; and in negative views, 84%; P = .0001). Concerns regarding the rapid development of vaccines were significantly associated with cluster group type ( P < .0001) and the number of vaccines respondents believed were developed too quickly ( P < .0001). The results reveal a significant proportion of HCPs/medical students with negative beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines, which are not only correlated with but also predictive of vaccination status. The need to continually improve their training strategies should be underscored. Providing sufficient opportunities to inquire about vaccine safety/efficacy, along with expert-backed information on randomized controlled trials, could influence beliefs and potentially improve vaccination rates.