Direct Support Professionals and COVID-19 Vaccination: A Comparison of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Direct Support Professionals

Sandra L. Pettingell; Julie Bershadsky; Amy Hewitt; Lynda Lahti Anderson; Alicia Zhang

doi:10.1352/1934-9556-61.1.1

Direct Support Professionals and COVID-19 Vaccination: A Comparison of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Direct Support Professionals

Sandra L. Pettingell, Julie Bershadsky, Amy Hewitt, Lynda Lahti Anderson, Alicia Zhang

Institute on Community Integration

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Direct support professionals (DSPs) may be at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 due to the proximal nature of their work. In response to the pandemic a three-wave study was launched to understand experiences of DSPs. An on-line national survey found that 70% of DSPs were vaccinated. Vaccinated DSPs were older and had higher education levels. Among the unvaccinated, 56% reported concerns about COVID-19 vaccination safety. Unvaccinated DSPs were more likely to report that the people they supported were also unvaccinated. Encouraging DSPs to get vaccinated to protect the people they support is essential. Paid time off, arranging for vaccinations, and setting an expectation for vaccination may encourage vaccination uptake among DSPs.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1-15
Number of pages	15
Journal	Intellectual and developmental disabilities
Volume	60
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-61.1.1
State	Published - 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
©AAIDD.

Keywords

COVID-19
IDD
direct support professionals
direct support workforce
vaccinations

PubMed: MeSH publication types

Journal Article
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1352/1934-9556-61.1.1

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Direct Support Professionals and COVID-19 Vaccination: A Comparison of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Direct Support Professionals

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

PubMed: MeSH publication types

UN SDGs

Publisher link

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