Cancer Patients’ Willingness to Take COVID-19 Vaccination: A Nationwide Multicenter Survey in Korea

Abstract

Considering the high morbidity and mortality of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with malignancy, they are regarded as a priority for COVID-19 vaccination. However, general vaccine uptake rates among cancer patients are known to be lower than in their healthy counterparts. Thus, we aimed to investigate the attitude and acceptance rates for the COVID-19 vaccine in cancer patients and identify predictive factors for vaccination that could be modified to increase vaccine uptake rates, via a paper-based survey (58 items over six domains). A total of 1001 cancer patients participated in this nationwide, multicenter survey between February and April 2021. We observed that 61.8% of respondents were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Positive predictive factors found to be independently associated with vaccination were male gender, older age, obesity, previous influenza vaccination history, absence of cancer recurrence, time since cancer diagnosis over 5 years, and higher EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale scores. Along with the well-known factors that are positively correlated with vaccination, here, we report that patients’ disease status and current health status were also associated with their acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination. Moreover, 91.2% of cancer patients were willing to be vaccinated if their attending physicians recommend it, indicating that almost 30% could change their decision upon physicians’ recommendation. Unlike other factors, which are unmodifiable, physicians’ recommendation is the single modifiable factor that could change patients’ behavior. In conclusion, we firstly report that Korean cancer patients’ acceptance rate of the COVID-19 vaccination was 61.8% and associated with disease status and current health status. Physicians should play a major role in aiding cancer patients’ decision-making concerning COVID-19 vaccines.

Knowledge about, attitude and acceptance towards, and predictors of intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among cancer patients in Eastern China: A cross-sectional survey

“…However, the acceptance rate was much lower than a previous anonymous cross-sectional survey among adults conducted in China (89.5%) [31] . Actually, the distrust towards the COVID-19 vaccine seems to be a worldwide phenomenon: in Korea, among cancer patients who were willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine, only 46.7% trusted its effectiveness [57] ; in Poland, 44.4% of cancer patients questioned the usefulness of COVID-19 vaccines [58] .…”

Knowledge and Proportion of COVID-19 Vaccination and Associated Factors Among Cancer Patients Attending Public Hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2021: A Multicenter Study

“…22,23 At this time of uncertainty, increased misconceptions and apprehensions about vaccine safety and efficacy, negative attitudes towards vaccination, and fear of unforeseen side effects may result in vaccine hesitancy leading to undermining efforts to reduce the impact of COVID-19 and these misbeliefs are thought to be pronounced in cancer patients. 24,25 The main factors that determine an individual's intent to take the COVID-19 vaccine include perceived severity of the illness, perceived susceptibility to the disease, perceived benefits that the person is likely to obtain as a result of the vaccine, perceived barriers, and information and knowledge about the disease and the vaccine. 26,27 Therefore, assessing cancer patients' awareness of and readiness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine along with the main factors which could increase the likelihood of receiving the vaccine will help develop and implement effective strategies in promoting the COVID-19 vaccine and decrease the recent alarming increase in COVID-19 new cases among cancer patients.…”

Letter to Editor, Re: The first report on Covid-19 vaccine refusal by cancer patients in Italy: Early data from a single-institute survey

“…Several studies worldwide have documented varying rates of vaccine hesitancy among oncological patients that can be as high as 59%. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 The increased risk of infection and COVID-19 associated morbidity and mortality in cancer patients, as well as the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants that keep imposing a tremendous strain on healthcare services worldwide, makes the high hesitancy rate towards COVID-19 immunization a matter of great concern.…”

“…These concerns, as well as the lack of information regarding the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, are among the most commonly associated factors with vaccine hesitancy in the oncological population. 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 Fortunately, the majority of studies assessing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among these patients have found that the most common reasons that could motivate hesitant patients to get vaccinated were being recommended by their oncologists/treating physician and having more information regarding COVID-19 vaccines’ effectiveness and safety. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 In accordance with these findings, our research group aimed to evaluate if an educational webinar could influence the knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients.…”

“…1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 Fortunately, the majority of studies assessing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among these patients have found that the most common reasons that could motivate hesitant patients to get vaccinated were being recommended by their oncologists/treating physician and having more information regarding COVID-19 vaccines’ effectiveness and safety. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 In accordance with these findings, our research group aimed to evaluate if an educational webinar could influence the knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients. An educational webinar was broadcasted on June 28, 2021, through the social media channels of TecSalud Hospitals in Monterrey, Mexico, where a panel of experts involving a medical oncologist, infectious disease specialist, and an intensivist discussed the use of COVID-19 vaccines in oncological patients.…”