Survey: Nurses largely on board with COVID-19 vaccines but want more info on boosters, long-term safety

A new nationwide poll of nearly 5,000 nurses found widespread rates of COVID-19 vaccination as well as general support for boosters and, to a lesser extent, workplace vaccination requirements.

The majority of surveyed nurses (71%) said they need more information about vaccine boosters, followed by more on long-term effectiveness (67%) and long-term adverse effects (59%).

Among those nurses who were not vaccinated, the choice to wait for more data on safety was cited by nearly three-quarters of these respondents. Still, only 23% of nurses on both sides of the divide said a Food and Drug Administration approval would change their stance on vaccine requirements.

The poll was conducted through the COVID Vaccine Facts for Nurses initiative, which is backed by professional nursing organizations like the American Nurses Association and the American Nurses Foundation and sponsored by vaccine maker Johnson & Johnson.

Its 4,912 respondents were largely white (75%), female (89%) and employed full-time (74%). Forty-eight percent said they were aged 55 years or older, and 71% provided direct care to patients.

Respondents were spread across the country, but most often hailed from Texas (7.9%), California (5.9%), New York (5.4%), Florida (4.5%) or North Carolina (4.4%).

Across the full sample, 88% of nurses said they were vaccinated or were planning to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Of these, 85% said they would be getting a booster if it were recommended, with 11% saying they were unsure...

More information at https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/hospitals/survey-nurses-largely-board-covid-19-vaccines-but-want-more-info-boosters-long-term