Vaccine preparedness does not appear to be widespread. Some nurses, among others, are still reluctant to be vaccinated. Mensura internally polled staff about their willingness to be vaccinated. Almost 90% are already sure they will be vaccinated. This convincing figure is a stepping stone toward a broader awareness campaign. ‘As an external service, we are an important link in winning over doubters,’ said Mensura's managing director Gretel Schrijvers.

Vaccination is the essential piece of the puzzle in making the COVID-19 crisis manageable and that will allow us to return to a large part of 'normal life'. ‘For a long time, group immunity starting with at least 70% vaccinated was given as the way to return to the life as we know it,’ explained Gretel Schrijvers. ‘But that scenario assumes 100% protection against the virus including its transmissibility. Current vaccines are an excellent protection against serious disease, but don’t completely eliminate the risk of infection and contagion. In practical terms, this means that even higher vaccination rates may be needed to eradicate the virus or live with it in a socially viable way.’

However, alarming signs of reluctance to get vaccinated are still occurring regularly. This is also true in some professions where vaccination is extremely important, such as nursing. ‘Doubts or critical questions are understandable. It’s important to listen to the reasons of people who are not yet convinced. If we provide them with the proper information in understandable language, they might go ahead after all.’

Mensura surveyed its staff about their willingness to get vaccinated. 88% indicated they would definitely do so (or, in the case of doctors and nurses, have already done so). 8% are still in doubt. Vaccination is a foregone conclusion, especially for medical jobs: 96% of doctors are for it, 94% of nurses are for it, but 2% are still not yet for it.

‘We’re very satisfied with our colleague’s positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. Especially if we can still win over some of our doubting colleagues. We hope this can help convince colleagues in the health care sector that vaccination is important, smart, and responsible.’

The numbers by themselves do not win over hearts, so in a short video a few of our staff explain their primary motivations for getting vaccinated. At the same time, Mensura is launching a profile on Facebook with #ikvaccineme (‘I get vaccinated’). So, anyone who wants to can help promote their positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination by adding the profile frame to their photo.

‘Perhaps this virus will create a flu scenario where a new variant circulates every year and where we protect the most vulnerable,’ said Gretel Schrijvers. ‘As an external service, we’re happy to contribute to the awareness of its importance. To this end, if the government asks our sector, we’re also prepared to support large companies with vaccination in the workplace. We have the experience and we will also help lower the threshold to employees getting vaccinated.’