The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the EMS industry in the United States. An untold number of EMTs and paramedics have been exposed to the virus, hundreds or possibly thousands have missed work because of COVID-19 related-illness, and at least 37 EMS providers have died from COVID-19.
A vital step in a return to normal for EMS and the rest of the population is a viable COVID-19 vaccine. With four candidate vaccines currently in Phase 3 clinical testing, the U.S. federal government has told states to prepare for a COVID-19 vaccine to be ready to distribute by November 1.
To better understand EMS agency vaccination mandates, and provider practices, and how these might impact COVID-19 vaccination amongst frontline personnel, EMS1 developed a 13-question survey, open from Aug. 20, 2020, to Sept. 11, 2020. A total of 528 responses were collected using a Microsoft Form, from EMS medical first responders (3%), EMTs (25%), AEMTs (7%), paramedics (46%), supervisors (10%), chiefs (8%) and medical directors (0.2%).
Following are three insights from the survey results. Click here for an in-depth analysis of the findings.
1. Vaccination is largely voluntary among EMS members
In the past, vaccination against illnesses like influenza has occurred on a mostly voluntary basis amongst EMS professionals.
Just 24% of respondents noted their agency mandates influenza vaccination for frontline personnel. Of those, 83% noted there are either religious or health exemptions (or both) to their mandate, signifying most vaccinated EMS personnel are opting into their vaccines.
In 2019, 37% of EMS respondents opted out of an influenza vaccine. Thirty-four percent of respondents plan to opt out of a 2020 influenza vaccine, and another 7% are undecided.
2. Less than 1/3 of EMS respondents plan to be vaccinated for COVID-19
According to the survey results, when a COVID-19 vaccine does become available in the U.S., just 28% of respondents report they will be vaccinated. Another 12% will only be vaccinated if mandated by their employer. The largest group of respondents – 41% – said they will not be vaccinated for COVID-19, and another 19% are unsure.
This is in stark contrast to a Pew Research Center study of the general population (also conducted in September), in which about half of U.S. adults (51%) said they would definitely or probably get a vaccine to prevent COVID-19 if it were available today.
In the EMS1 study, paramedic chiefs were most likely to get a COVID-19 vaccine, at a rate of 51%, versus 32% of EMTs and 22-23% of paramedics, AEMTs and medical first responders.
The discrepancy between those who plan to get their flu vaccine (59%) vs. those who plan to get a COVID-19 vaccine (28%) points to a lack of confidence in a COVID-19 vaccine that has been pushed through a speedy clinical trial process.
“America’s vaccine debate is alive and well, even within the EMS profession,” noted Matt Zavadsky, MS-HSA, EMT, chief strategic integration officer MedStar Mobile Healthcare in Fort Worth, Texas; and president, NAEMT. Zavadsky noted the reluctance of EMS workers to receive a first-wave COVID-19 vaccine is “a little bit understandable,” given the reasons cited in the survey – side effects, speed of the approval process, efficacy and availability – and seem to be shared by the general public.
“Unfortunately, the messaging about the development and readiness of a COVID-19 vaccination has been politicized. I share the reluctance and worry of many respondents to ‘go first’ when the voices of scientists and public health officials are taking a back seat to politicians,” Greg Friese, MS, NRP, editorial director, Lexipol, commented. “The percentage of EMS providers who receive an annual flu shot or plan to be vaccinated against COVID-19 is disappointing but unsurprising. We (EMS providers) reflect the communities we serve and likely bring our cultural identities and political affiliations into the decision to receive an annual flu shot or our willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19.”
“One thing we all need to keep in mind; it’s possible that in order to be part of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration strategy, personnel involved in this process will potentially need to be vaccinated first,” Zavadsky pointed out. “And, it’s something that national EMS organizations have pushed for, assurance that first responders are in the first tier of vaccine administration.”
3. Most respondents do not believe frontline EMS have an ethical obligation to get a COVID-19 vaccine
Less than one-third of EMS respondents (27%) believe frontline EMS providers have an ethical obligation to get a COVID-19 vaccine. The majority (58%) do not feel they have an ethical obligation to get a COVID-19 vaccine, and a significant portion – 40% – strongly disagree they have an ethical obligation to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
EMS chiefs were most likely to agree that frontline providers have an ethical obligation to get a COVID-19 vaccine (49% agree vs. 37% disagree), while paramedics and AEMTs were less likely to support an ethical obligation (20% agree, 63% disagree; and 26% agree, 69% disagree respectively). Thirty percent of both EMS supervisors and EMTs agree frontline providers have an ethical obligation to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
“The Code of Ethics for EMS Practitioners calls on each of us ‘To conserve life, alleviate suffering, promote health, do no harm, and encourage the quality and equal availability of emergency medical care,’” Friese noted. “As a paramedic, I have an ethical obligation to take appropriate precautions, such as PPE use and vaccination for infectious diseases, in my duties as a caregiver and community health advocate.”
Where do you stand? Do you feel ethically obligated to get a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available? Will you be vaccinated? Read the full survey results here and then tell us why or why not by filling out this short form. We may use your responses in a future article.
