Approach
The aim of the project was to assess the vaccination status and vaccination behavior of healthcare professionals working in primary care in Switzerland with regard to seasonal influenza during two different time periods, as well as COVID-19 during the second survey period. The focus was on comparing vaccination behavior before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The vaccination behavior of outpatient healthcare professionals was examined in order to obtain reliable data on vaccination rates, attitudes, and changes over time and depending on the external circumstance of the pandemic.
Findings
In autumn 2016, Dr. Astrid Czock, together with the QualiCCare working group on influenza vaccination in NCD patients, conducted an online survey among professionals working in primary care. Approximately 1,600 individuals participated in the survey and provided information on their influenza vaccination status and vaccination behavior during the 2015/16 season. The results were published in the International Journal of Public Health (IJPH).
In autumn 2021, a second survey followed as part of a Master’s thesis for the Master of Public Health (MPH) at the Universities of Basel, Bern, and Zurich in collaboration with the Institute of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention of the University of Zurich (EBPI). This survey was expanded to include questions on COVID-19 vaccination and referred to vaccination behavior in winter 2020/21. Approximately 1,200 outpatient healthcare professionals participated. The results were also published in the IJPH and presented at the Swiss Public Health Conference 2023 in Lausanne.
In parallel, the same survey was conducted in winter 2020/21 among hospital-employed healthcare professionals at Lucerne Cantonal Hospital. Publication of these results is planned for 2026.
Publications & Results
This project was conducted by Dr. Astrid Czock in her capacity as Managing Director of QualiCCare.