COVID-19 mRNA vaccination, reactogenicity, work-related absences and the impact on operating room staffing: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption to healthcare delivery worldwide including in the delivery of surgical services. The introduction of mRNA COVID vaccines and the significant reactogenicity seen with vaccination has caused an unanticipated impact on the operating room workforce via unanticipated paid time off after employee vaccination.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional survey was made available to approximately 33,000 front-line healthcare workers, students and volunteers who were offered voluntary vaccination in a state-wide healthcare system during phase one of the state's vaccine roll-out.