COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Early Adverse Events Reported in a Cohort of 7,881 Italian Physicians

Background. The COVID-19 vaccination campaign began in Italy at the end of December 2020, with the primary aim of immunizing healthcare professionals, using the EMA approved mRNA vaccines (Comirnaty (R) by Pfizer/BioNTech; mRNA-1273 by Moderna) and recombinant adenoviral vaccine (Vaxzevria (R) by AstraZeneca). The study aimed at evaluating the prevalence and motivations underlying Vaccine Hesitancy, as well as the incidence and type of adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccination. Methods. Cross-sectional study. Data were collected January 1st to 28th 2021 using a purposely created online self-administered questionnaire from a selected cohort of Italian physicians. Results. Overall, 7,881 questionnaires were analyzed: 6,612 physicians had received one dose, and 1,670 two doses of Comirnaty (R); 30 had received one dose of mRNA-1273. Vaccine Hesitancy rate was 3.6%; it correlated with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, diabetes, Adverse Eventss at previous vaccinations and refusal of 2020 flu vaccine, and was mainly motivated by concerns about vaccine Adverse Events. Typical Adverse Events were pain/itching/paresthesia at the inoculation site, followed by headache, fever, fatigue and myalgia/arthralgia occurring more frequently after the second dose (77.8 vs 66.9%; p<0.001), and in subjects with a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion. Adherence to COVID-19 vaccination is high among physicians. Adverse Events are typically mild and more frequent in people with a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.