Almost 80 percent say information has been insufficient on vaccine safety
Many nurses feel they don’t have sufficient information about COVID-19 vaccine safety and the development process, according to new survey findings released by the American Nurses Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the American Nurses Association.
The October survey of 12,939 nurses found that 79 percent of respondents said healthcare workers have not received enough information about COVID-19 vaccine safety, side effects and administration. Additionally, 75 percent of respondents said they are skeptical or unclear about the COVID-19 clinical trials process, and 70 percent said they are skeptical or unclear about the COVID-19 vaccine approval process.
Nearly half of respondents said they are not comfortable discussing COVID-19 vaccines with patients, according to the survey.
“These findings underscore the gaps that need to be addressed quickly and effectively,” ANA President Ernest Grant, PhD, RN, said in a news release. “Education of nurses and other healthcare workers must be a top priority to ensure a high level of vaccination among these essential workers. This is critical, both to protect these front-line providers, as well as in recognition of how their behavior and beliefs influence the public.”
“Any barriers that impede access to information and education must be eradicated now,” said Foundation Executive Director Kate Judge. “This is especially important to engage with communities of colors. Generations of Black Americans do not trust our nation’s health care system due to a longstanding history of health care inequities. There must be a concerted effort to share culturally relevant information and education to ensure that communities of color have access to and believe in the safety of life-saving vaccines and treatments. When nurses are knowledgeable, they can better model prevention measures for their patients, combat vaccination skepticism, and share reliable information to address vaccine hesitancy and ultimately protect the public.”
ANA launched a webinar for nurses October 26, The State of COVID-19 Vaccine Development: What You Need to Know. The latest in a series of webinars, it is available free to all and on demand.
SOURCES: American Nurses Association, Becker’s Hospital Review
