Determining Canadian Healthcare Providers’ Intentions to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine and Improving Current Health Communication Strategies

Some healthcare providers have concerns, misconceptions, and reluctance to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, which puts them at risk of occupational and public exposure to the virus. This is called vaccine hesitancy, which is defined as the delay or refusal of vaccines in the presence of vaccination services. Widespread vaccination is an effective public health measure in reducing health burdens and nationwide economic restrictions associated with the disease. This project seeks to understand why Canadian healthcare providers have hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccine, and identify strategies for improving health communication on COVID-19 vaccines to healthcare providers. Results will determine key factors which explain healthcare providers’ intentions to vaccinate and contribute to the current scientific evidence on health communication, COVID-19, and vaccine hesitancy. The recommendations resulting from this study will provide public health organizations such as the Canadian Public Health Association with guidance how to effectively communicate vaccine information to support ongoing initiatives which focus on building capacity and confidence of healthcare providers.

Faculty Supervisor:

Andrew Papadopoulos

Student:

Abhinand Thaivalappil

Partner:

Canadian Public Health Association

Discipline:

Medicine

Sector:

University:

University of Guelph

Program: