Nearly half of the United States’ frontline healthcare professionals have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, according to new research.
The report, published Friday by the Kaiser Family Foundation, found that only 52 percent of healthcare professionals received at least one dose of vaccine, although they were the first eligible to receive treatment in most communities.
Only 64% of respondents said they were confident in the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, and 48% have not yet received the vaccine.
Health professionals were quoted expressing a wide range of opinions about the vaccine, similar to those found in the general public, according to the survey, which was done in conjunction with the Washington Post.
“I would stop if the job told me I had to do it,” said an answer quoted in the survey.
“It is the only way to reach an end to the pandemic,” said another.
The survey included interviews with 1,327 top health professionals, conducted in English and Spanish, from February 11 to March 7. First-line health professionals were defined in the survey as those who have direct contact with patients or body fluids.