COVID-19 vaccination willingness among people with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background Hesitancy to receive COVID-19 vaccination is a major public health concern. COVID-19 vaccine willingness and the factors contributing to willingness in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown. We administered an online survey from 1 December 2020 to 7 January 2021 to adults with MS to estimate COVID-19 vaccine willingness among adults with MS. Bivariate analysis with chi-square testing compared categorical variables associated with vaccine willingness. Results Of 401 respondents, 70.1% were willing to receive an authorized COVID-19 vaccination if it was available to them, 22.7% were unsure, and 7.2% were unwilling. The most frequent concern for those unsure was vaccine safety. Vaccine willingness was associated with increased perceived personal risk of COVID-19 (χ2 = 45.4; p < 0.0001), prior influenza vaccine acceptance (χ2 = 97.6; p < 0.0001), higher educational level (χ2 = 50.2; p < 0.0001), and if respondents discussed or planned to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine with their neurologists (χ2 = 64.3; p < 0.0001). Conclusion While COVID-19 vaccination willingness is high among people with MS, nearly 30% were either unwilling or unsure about being vaccinated. Neurologists should be aware of patient-centered factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine willingness and address COVID-19 vaccine safety concerns in discussions with their vaccine-unsure MS patients.

COVID-19 Vaccination Reactogenicity in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis

“…17 However, ∼6% of American PwMS are unwilling to receive the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and >20% of PwMS are vaccine hesitant. 6 , 7 Frequent concerns for vaccine hesitant PwMS were vaccine safety and efficacy and potential short- and long-term side effects. 6 , 8 In addition, most vaccine hesitant PwMS expressed the desire for additional information.…”

“… 6 , 7 Frequent concerns for vaccine hesitant PwMS were vaccine safety and efficacy and potential short- and long-term side effects. 6 , 8 In addition, most vaccine hesitant PwMS expressed the desire for additional information. 8 Unfortunately, no safety data pertaining specifically to PwMS have been reported from the various SARS-CoV-2 vaccine trials, and extrapolation of the safety data from the general population to PwMS is unclear, largely due to the uncertain impact of DMTs.…”

“…Considering the novel vaccine strategies deployed and the uncertain impact of immunomodulatory therapies, vaccine safety data in PwMS are of great interest, including short-term reactogenicity. This is especially important because >20% of PwMS may be vaccine hesitant, 6 , 7 with specific concerns related to vaccine safety, vaccine efficacy, and potential side effects. 6 , 8 Among vaccine-hesitant PwMS, short-term side effects were a major concern for 26% and a minor concern for 49% of individuals.…”

“…This is especially important because >20% of PwMS may be vaccine hesitant, 6 , 7 with specific concerns related to vaccine safety, vaccine efficacy, and potential side effects. 6 , 8 Among vaccine-hesitant PwMS, short-term side effects were a major concern for 26% and a minor concern for 49% of individuals. 8 …”

Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Monocentric Observational Study

“…On the other hand, the current epidemiological situation related to COVID-19 may have a significant sociopsychological influence on vaccination's acceptance among people whether having certain diseases or not. Indeed, recent studies describing COVID-19 vaccination's willingness in patients with MS [20][21][22] reported that almost 60-80% of interviewed MS participants were willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As authors reported, vaccine willingness was statistically significant associated with increased perceived personal risk of COVID-19, prior influenza vaccine acceptance, higher educational level, older age, and discussion of the importance of COVID-19 vaccine with neurologists.…”