Acceptability of Covid-19 vaccination during a pandemic among primary care workers

Introduction. The world has been experiencing a costly pandemic in human, social, and economic terms since late 2019. The deployment of a Covid-19 vaccination (Cov19V) has emerged as a major tool against this pandemic. However, an hesitancy to the Cov19V was notable among healthcare professionals (HCPs). Aim. To explore the perceptions of primary care paramedics regarding the Cov19V, to understand their concerns and the determining elements of its acceptance. Method. Qualitative study by general inductive approach using semi-structured interviews with paramedics in Is & egrave;re and Savoie. Results. The HCP's previous general representations of vaccines and their sources of information conditioned their attitude towards Cov19V. The main elements inducing a choice of the Cov19V were: confidence in vaccines and medical practitioners, expected individual benefits, altruism, professionalism, pragmatism, lack of alternative, social pressure. The reluctance towards Cov19V came from a distrust of vaccines, a feeling of futility, a fear of adverse effects, downplaying of the situation. Cognitive dissonance appeared both between their feelings and their vaccination, and between their vaccination status and the vaccination advice given to others. Discussion. This study gives a partial picture of the representations of HCP's on Cov19V between March and October 2021. Crossing these results with those of other studies carried out over a different period or by other means of expression would complete the understanding of HCPs attitudes and representations on Cov19V.