Abstract:
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus emerged and rapidly spread around the world. One year later, the first vaccine was developed, and vaccination campaigns were launched all over the world. In Germany, immunization centers were built, but the campaign started slowly due to a lack of COVID-19 vaccine doses. In April 2021, general practitioners were allowed to vaccinate against COVID-19, and from 7th June 2021, occupational health physicians were included in the vaccination campaign. Due to the ordinance on the entitlement to vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 (CoronaImpfV), there was a legal obligation for companies to contribute to the nationwide vaccination campaign either by organizing in-company vaccinations or by releasing their employees to receive their vaccination.
This study is part of a large explorative mixed-method study consisting of different modules. The present study is part of a qualitative module exploring in-company COVID-19 vaccination campaigns carried up within a pilot project. Seven stakeholders of five companies that organized in-company vaccinations were interviewed. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and attitudes of crisis management teams in large-sized companies on in-company vaccination in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Five guided interviews with experts were held between November 2021 and January 2022 by an experienced research assistant. Due to pandemic restrictions, they were conducted via video calls, and one interview via telephone. After informed consent was given, the interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and pseudonymized. The analysis method was the qualitative content analysis according to Kuckartz (2016). In a deductive approach, first the category system developed in the analysis of interviews previously conducted in the explorative mixed-method study was applied to the transcripts. Second, in an inductive approach, new categories and subcategories were built.
In general, the participating companies evaluated their implementation as successful. By a low-threshold offer to the vaccination program, different population groups could be reached.
Nevertheless, the criticisms mentioned were similar to those made during the swine flu pandemic in 2009/2010. Criticisms included lack of vaccines, lack of sufficient communication by politicians, and late authorization of occupational health physicians to vaccinate against COVID-19.
Based on the findings from the point of view of company crisis management teams on the pilot COVID-19 workplace vaccination program, the present study has shown that the workplace is a suitable setting for carrying out vaccinations and thus promoting the public vaccination campaign.
The findings of our study can be used for the preparation for future pandemics and to implement public health services in occupational health services for employees.
vaccination