JOEM: Work Absence Following COVID-19 Vaccination in a Cohort of...(Jan 2022)-JOEM: Work Absence Following COVID-19 Vaccination in a Cohort of...(Jan 2022)

JOEM: Work Absence Following COVID-19 Vaccination in a Cohort of...(Jan 2022)

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This study examined the rates of work absence following COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare personnel (HCP) and identified various factors that influenced these rates. The study analyzed short-term disability (STD) usage attributed to vaccine side effects for different vaccine manufacturers, job categories, age groups, and work regions. The results showed that 4.1% of COVID-19 vaccinations resulted in a STD claim for lost work due to side effects, with higher rates after the second vaccine dose compared to the first dose. Younger HCP and allied health staff had higher rates of work absence. There were also statistically significant geographic differences in STD rates, suggesting that cultural and staffing factors may influence the decision of HCP to utilize STD after vaccination. <br /><br />The study highlights the common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines, such as injection site pain, fatigue, headache, myalgias, fever, and chills. It also discusses the v-safe monitoring system implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to track vaccine side effects and work or school absences. The study found that side effects occurred more frequently after the second dose of the mRNA vaccines compared to the first dose. <br /><br />The study considers the impact of vaccine side effects on work attendance among HCP, who were prioritized for early vaccination. It suggests that providing a temporary policy for STD and paid time off for vaccine side effects can increase vaccine acceptance and reduce hesitancy. The study also addresses the differences in work absence rates among different job categories, with clinicians having the lowest utilization rates and allied health staff having the highest utilization rates. <br /><br />The findings of the study have implications for policies to increase vaccine acceptance and reduce hesitancy in healthcare settings. The study suggests that additional factors, such as culture and staffing, may influence work absence rates and highlights the importance of educating staff on the normal side effects of vaccination to support their decisions to safely come to work. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the rates and factors influencing work absence after COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare personnel.

Keywords

work absence

COVID-19 vaccination

healthcare personnel

short-term disability

vaccine side effects

vaccine manufacturers

job categories

age groups

work regions

geographic differences