Objective
To examine COVID-19 infection rates, vaccination rates, and attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine amongst the staff at a large, university-affiliated center with sites in six different states.
Materials and Methods
An 18-question email questionnaire was distributed to all employees at Boston IVF between April 6 – April 13th, 2021. Surveys were sent to staff in Massachusetts, Indiana, Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. The primary outcome was vaccination rate. Secondary outcomes included rates of COVID-19 infection. Results were stratified by age, gender, and geographical location. Reasons behind vaccination reluctance were explored.
Results
A total of 515 surveys were sent out; 340 employees initiated the survey and 243 completed the survey (response rate 47%). Among the 243 completed surveys, 20 (8.2%) reported a history of COVID-19. 205 (84.4%) employees received the COVID-19 vaccine. The age group with the best vaccination rate was the > 65 group (13/13; 100%). The majority of vaccinated staff members belonged to the 25 – 54 age group (153/205; 74.6%). However, the majority of unvaccinated individuals also fell into the 25-54 age group (35/38; 92.1%). White/Caucasian staff represented the highest number of vaccinated staff members (163/205; 79.5%) as well as the highest vaccination rate (171/194; 88%) while Haitian/Caribbean/African American staff had the lowest (7/12; 58.3%). Staff members whose highest level of education was a graduate degree had the highest vaccination rates (47/49; 95.9%) while staff with a high school diploma or trade school/associate degree had the lowest vaccination rates (61/85; 71.8%). There was a 100% vaccination rate among physicians, the endocrinology team, human resources, IT department, and research team. The phlebotomy team had the lowest vaccination rate, 50%. For those who did not receive the COVID-19 vaccine, the majority of staff members sighted “concerns that production was rushed” (19/74; 25.7%); concerns about the vaccine’s side effects and effectiveness were sighted as the 2nd and 3rd most popular reasons respectively (13/74; 17.6% and 12/74; 16.2%).
Conclusions
Overall vaccination rates among staff members of Boston IVF are high compared to the national average, however, there is geographical and racial variability. In addition, those with lower formal education are less likely to receive the vaccine. Continued efforts should be made to educate and encourage the COVID-19 vaccine amongst staff at infertility clinics.
Impact Statement
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the health care system and medical field in a short time. It is particularly important to understand vaccination rates among health care workers and identify any barriers there to becoming vaccinated.
P-446 6:30 AM Wednesday, October 20, 2021