Page 12 - JRCERT Update Articles

JRCERT Update

pandemic was availability of the COVID-19 vaccines messages of support for vaccines. The World Bank
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for radiologic science professionals. In December 2020, found that approximately 33% of health care workers
the American Society of Radiologic Technologists con- are vaccine hesitant; this is consistent with vaccine
tacted officials in each state to advocate for including hesitancy in the general population (37%). Vaccine
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radiologic technologists in the first phase of COVID-19 hesitancy also has been prevalent among health care
vaccinations, highlighting the range of care and diag- workers from minority groups, thereby affecting the
nostic effect of these professionals in a variety of health populations they serve. This causes concern because
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care settings. COVID-19 vaccines are now readily hesitancy among health workers might affect hesi-
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available for all U.S. health care workers. However, tancy in the public because of a lack of role modeling.
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access to COVID-19 vaccines continues to be a global Therefore, vaccine hesitancy must be addressed to
health concern and an issue of equity, especially in low- improve vaccination rates and public health outcomes. 37
income countries. 31 Compliance with vaccine policies at health care
Concerns regarding the safety of vaccines are not institutions has been another challenge related to
new. For example, since the 1990s, concerns have been COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. Vaccine
raised that the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vac- resistance in health care workers has continued as
cine caused autism spectrum disorders. However, the institutions and their workers debate how to enforce
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WHO and other scientists have identified this as a myth vaccine policies. Mandatory vaccine policies also have
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with no evidence of a link between the 2. They fur- led to health care workers and unions filing lawsuits
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ther indicated that the initial study was flawed and has against employers. In the United Kingdom, the debate
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been retracted. The WHO recently has highlighted the included those who were concerned that unvaccinated
importance of sharing only valid, scientific data on vac- staff were much more likely to transmit the disease,
cines. The continuation of research to lessen fears that and patients who were concerned about being treated
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could prevent life-saving vaccination is important. by unvaccinated staff. 39,40 Conversely, concerns were
Concerns about safety also apply to the COVID-19 expressed about the consequences of denying bodily
vaccine, including concerns specifically related to autonomy for health care workers who do not want to
mRNA vaccine technology. Although there are com- be immunized and the potential long-term effect on
mon adverse effects after taking the COVID-19 vaccine, staffing. Some argue that testing is a better way to pre-
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severe allergic reactions are rare. These severe reactions vent infections than is vaccination. These compliance
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include difficulty breathing, wheezing, hypotension, issues create concerns about safety and workforce needs
swelling of the tongue or throat, and a rash or hives. and continue to be considered at the institutional and
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Myocarditis or pericarditis has occurred in a small state levels.
number of people who received the COVID-19 mRNA
vaccine, most prominently in younger populations, Global Perspectives on Vaccines
especially men aged 18 to 25 years. However, the ben- Global health is “an area for study, research, and
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efits of the vaccine, including lessening the effects of the practice that places a priority on improving health and
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COVID-19 pandemic, have outweighed the risks. achieving equity in health for all people worldwide.”
Vaccine hesitancy is another area of concern, includ- In addition, global health includes “health problems,
ing among health care workers. Vaccine hesitancy issues, and concerns that transcend national boundaries,
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occurs when individuals are not comfortable with and that may be influenced by circumstances or experiences
delay getting vaccinations. This has been a promi- in other countries and are best addressed by coopera-
nent concern in the fight against COVID-19 and can tive actions and solutions.” Global health is important
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be affected by individuals who have safety concerns, because many communicable diseases are not confined
lack general knowledge about vaccines, and distrust by geopolitical boundaries as the world becomes more
institutions advocating for vaccines, including the globalized. Global health affects people’s health world-
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government. Health care workers can help by sharing wide, nationally, and locally. Worldwide vaccinations

RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY, March/April 2023, Volume 94, Number 4 311
Reprinted with permission from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for educational purposes. ©2023. All rights reserved.