Demographic Characteristics Of Workers Vaccinated During Workplace Covid-19 Vaccination Program In Croatia

INTRODUCTION: Vaccine hesitancy is one of the main causes of poor vaccine coverage during ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which imposes significant occupational and public health threat. Vaccine acceptance is highly influenced by perception of vaccine efficacy and safety where gender and age-based differences seem to play a role. In order to assess possible gender and age-related differences in responsiveness to occupational COVID-19 vaccination, present study was conducted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of vaccines administered by Mobile Occupational Vaccination Team during April 14, 2021 – July 12, 2021, were examined in order to describe demographic characteristics of fully vaccinated workers in major Croatian companies. RESULTS and CONCLUSIONS: During 3-month period 12360 workers were fully vaccinated among which 55.5% men (4.9% at age 15-24y, 69.2% at age 25-49y and 28.9% at age 50-65y) and 44.5% women (3.9% at age 15-24y, 68.2% at age 25-49y and 27.9% at age 50-65y). When compared with current Croatian labor force participation rates for men (53.6%) and women (46.4%) in regards to age stratification, we found larger proportion of men receiving full immunization with the vast majority of them being between 24 and 65 years old. Acknowledging and understanding gender and age-based differences in perception of vaccine safety and efficacy may be beneficial in constructing effective vaccination campaigns targeted towards vulnerable occupational groups potentially resulting in greater vaccine acceptance and optimal workplace vaccine coverage.