In January 2021, Israel started vaccinating healthcare workers (HCWs) and individuals older than 65 years with COVID-19 vaccines. Scientific literature points to vaccine hesitancy as being a major health concern. During time of pandemics, increased consciousness of health behaviors may be encountered. The current study aimed to assess attitudes to general vaccines and to COVID-19 vaccines in particular among adult (>18) Israeli general public, and among Israeli dentists and dental hygienists. Cross-sectional surveys were filled out by a total of 501 participants (361 Israeli adults >18 years, 73 dental hygienists, and 67 dentists). Along with basic demographics, participants responded to the Hebrew VAX, COVID-VAX and HCS scales. Group comparisons were analyzed using t tests and ANOVAs with Scheffe’s test used for post hoc comparisons. Dental hygienists demonstrated significantly higher anti-vaccinations approaches than both dentists ( p < 0.01) and the general public ( p < 0.05). In all groups, attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccines were more negative compared to attitudes towards general vaccines, with hygienists demonstrating significant negative attitudes compared to dentists ( p < 0.05). The general public ( p = 0.56) and hygienists demonstrated increased health awareness compared to dentists ( p < 0.05). As health awareness has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic primary strategies to combat vaccine hesitancy should be implemented in the general public, and in particular, an dental teams.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, vaccination, Vaccine hesitancy, dentists, dental hygienists, vaccination attitudes, 【초록키워드】 Vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, Vaccines, COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare worker, Health, HCWs, comparison, Pandemics, group, demographics, dentist, Older, individual, Comparisons, participant, T Test, ANOVA, Dental hygienist, approach, analyzed, demonstrated, significantly higher, groups, with COVID-19, 【제목키워드】 Program, Hesitancy, Awareness, Increased,