Preparing for the Next Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess the Perspectives of Healthcare Staff and Patients on Mandatory Vaccination for Healthcare Workers in a National Health Service (NHS) Hospital Trust.

Introduction The United Kingdom (UK) government proposed mandatory coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination for healthcare workers (HCWs) in November 2021, with a deadline to vaccinate by April 2022, after which those unvaccinated would be redeployed from patient-facing roles or dismissed from their jobs. This proposal was then revoked in March 2022, but in a future pandemic or epidemic, this may be re-implemented, and there is a lack of meaningful lessons learned in the process, as well as a lack of guidance in place for future epidemics. The perspective of the patients attending hospitals and healthcare staff (HCS) on this is unknown. We aim to gather their perspective through a questionnaire just after the 3rd wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in England. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out from 4th April to 10th April 2022 in Wythenshawe Hospital in England. A questionnaire was given to HCS and patients to gather their perspective on the mandate, and the data was then analysed.  Findings Out of 323 participants who took part in the study, 321 met the inclusion criteria and included 159 patients and 162 HCS. A total of 85 (52.5%) HCS and 70 (44.0%) patients agreed to vaccine mandates. Hundred (61.7%) HCS and 116 (73.0%) patients were of the opinion that HCS who have antibodies against the virus should have a choice. Sixty-two (38.3%) HCS and 62 (39.0%) patients agreed to a vaccine mandate for patients before admission for non-urgent care. 100 (61.7%) HCS and 83 (52.2%) patients disagreed with the redeployment of unvaccinated HCS. One hundred and five (64.8%) HCS and 74 (46.5%) patients agreed with the decision to set aside the mandate, and 99 (61.1%) HCS and 103 (64.8%) patients thought that people should continue to wear masks and maintain social distancing. Interpretation Almost one in two HCS and patients favour vaccine mandates for HCS. However, only one in three patients and HCS favour a mandate for patients. A large majority of participants are in favor of the choice if HCS has antibodies. More than one in two participants in both categories disagree with redeploying/dismissing unvaccinated HCS and feel that masks and social distancing should be continued. More HCS agreed to the decision to set aside the mandate than patients.