Improving communication to enhance COVID-19 vaccination uptake: Insights from a 2025 survey of French primary health care workers
Çiğdem DELICE SEZGIN, Oğulcan ÇÖME and Vildan MEVSIM
In 2024-2025, French Health Authorities organized two COVID-19 vaccination campaigns: a combined Flu/COVID-19 campaign in autumn, and an additional spring COVID-19 campaign targeting populations at higher risk. However, uptake for these campaigns remained modest, particularly during the spring campaign. Assessing the determinants of this low uptake is of particular interest.A consortium of non-governmental primary care organizations established during the first wave of COVID-19, conducted a survey among its network of primary health care workers (PHCWs). The goal was to assess their perceptions and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination, both for their patients and themselves.The study utilized a dedicated platform enabling PHCWs to participate in targeted surveys. An online survey (24 questions) was proposed to PHCWs between June and September 2025, with multiple email reminders. Participation was anonymous, and data were analyzed using Stata 11.2 software.Out of 1,021 vaccinating PHCWs who clicked on the survey link, 685 completed most of the key questions. Participants were predominantly general practitioners (GPs) (56%) and pharmacists (35%), mostly women (58%), and aged between 40 and 60 (52%). While 87% had received the influenza vaccine, only 44% were vaccinated against COVID-19 in 2024-2025. Regarding COVID-19 infections knowledge, most respondents felt they had the necessary medical information for their practice, except for current epidemiological data (only 68% felt informed). Access to organizational information (required for implementing vaccination) and scientific data (needed to assess the benefit/risk balance of available COVID-19 vaccines) was rated as moderate: 62% and 59% of PHCWs reported having access, respectively. Additionally, 20% indicated they lacked some of the information needed to answer patients’ questions. Finally, although health authorities remained the primary source of information, their communication was deemed insufficient and unsatisfactory by 55% of respondents.This survey reveals a clear need for better scientific and organizational communication targeted at PHCWs, as well as stronger communication efforts related to COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. Comparable results had already been highlighted in previous surveys on vaccination.Filling this communication gap seems essential, as numerous recent studies highlight the pivotal role of PHCWs in improving vaccination rates.
