Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Associated Factors Among Cancer Patients Attending the Oncology Clinic of University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background The pandemic of Coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a major public health challenge, and an effective vaccine is the potential mechanism to resolve this specific situation. The present study aimed to evaluate acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among patients attending the Oncology Clinic of University Clinical Hospital Mostar. Material/Methods This cross-sectional observational study enrolled 364 patients with cancer from the Oncology Clinic of University Clinical Hospital Mostar during February 2021. Data were collected using a questionnaire that captured general information about the participants and their attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination. Results Of the participants, 41.8% answered “Yes” when asked if they would take the vaccine once it becomes available, 37.6% answered “Not sure”, and 20.6% answered “No”. For patients in favor of vaccination, the main reasons reported were fear of getting sick (77.6%), the desire to contribute to herd immunity (57.8%), and trusting the recommendations of health professionals (57.2%). The main reasons for the patients’ vaccination refusal/indecision were doubts about the results from clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines (49.1%), concerns about adverse effects (24.5%), and confusion about the various vaccine options (19.8%). The majority of participants (82.4%) stated that recommendation by their oncologist could influence their decision about vaccination. Of the participants who indicated unwillingness (refusal or indecision) to be vaccinated against COVID-19, 65.3% stated that recommendation by their oncologist could influence their decision about vaccination. Conclusions The findings from the present study showed most patients had refused or were indecisive regarding immunization with COVID-19 vaccine. Increasing physician awareness of this situation may result in higher rates of vaccination.

Acceptance, effects, and tolerability in the vaccination process against SARS-CoV-2 virus among cancer patients in Bosnia and Herzegovina: a single-center cross-sectional study

“…According to the data from the Institute for Public Health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the period from 3 March 2021 to 16 January 2022, only 28.20% of the population has been fully vaccinated, while 7.47% received a booster dose [ 32 , 39 ]. Marijanovic et al showed that most cancer patients (62.2%) had a hesitancy toward immunization with COVID-19 vaccines through their cross-sectional study conducted at the Clinic of Oncology, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina [ 44 ]. Although we had a small sample of patients from this area of Bosnia and Herzegovina, our results are compatible since 40% of patients from the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton were adequately vaccinated.…”

Determinants of the Hesitancy toward COVID-19 Vaccination in Eastern European Countries and the Relationship with Health and Vaccine Literacy: A Literature Review

“…Variables specific to Eastern Europe that predict the willingness to vaccinate have also been highlighted. Several studies explored the hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccination in Eastern European populations with comorbidities or pregnancy [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

An update on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic public awareness on cancer patients' COVID-19 vaccine compliance: Outcomes and recommendations

“…Most patients appear to follow their oncologist's vaccine recommendations, indicating that the oncologist's influence is significant. A cross-sectional survey of 364 adult patients with cancer in Bosnia and Herzegovina found that 85.60% of study participants were willing to follow their oncologist's guidance on COVID-19 vaccination (26).…”