COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Patients With Epilepsy or Other Chronic Conditions

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the opinions of different groups of people in Iran on their willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed a sample (based on consecutive referrals) of five groups of people in late 2020: a group of the general population from Shiraz (without a history of any chronic medical or psychiatric problems), patients with epilepsy, patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), patients with cardiac problems, and patients with psychiatric problems. The survey included four general questions and three COVID-19 specific questions. Results: 582 people participated. In Total, 66 (11.3%) people expressed that they were not willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Psychiatric disorders (OR: 3.15; 95% CI: 1.31-7.60; p = 0.006) and male sex (OR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.23-3.58; p = 0.010) were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy is a global issue. Patients with psychiatric disorders had the highest rate of vaccine hesitancy. Previous studies have shown that depression and anxiety are associated with a reduced adherence to the recommended medical advices. Why male sex is associated with vaccine hesitancy is not clear. Researchers should investigate the rates and the factors affecting the vaccine hesitancy in their corresponding communities.

Should patients with epilepsy be vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019? A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…After screening 82 duplicates and 152 papers through titles and abstracts, we retrieved the full texts of the remaining 16 studies. Ten observational studies and two case reports studies [17] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] that met the inclusion criteria were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis ( Figure 1 ).

Figure 1 Flow diagram of study

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“…No studies provided propensity score matching analysis results. Seven studies [17] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [29] , [30] provided the information of primary outcome (vaccination status), and six studies [22] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [28] , [29] reported the secondary outcomes of vaccination willingness and unwillingness. Seven studies [17] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [30] reported the incidence of adverse effects after COVID-19 vaccination.…”

COVID-19 vaccination for patients with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes

“…The most common hesitation identified in the study was induction of seizures. Moreover, patients with epilepsy likely refuse vaccination and ask for help from professionals due to their specific conditions [26] .…”

COVID-19 vaccine-related frequently asked questions (FAQs) by people with epilepsy and carers in Iran; educational video is included

“…Vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is the best hope for preventing the serious consequences of COVID-19 (i.e., severe illness and death). However, a growing number of people in the world express vaccine hesitancy [1] , [2] . In a previous study (performed in late 2020 and before the start of the vaccination campaign in Iran), we observed that about 11% of the people had vaccine hesitancy [including about 6% of patients with epilepsy (PWE)] [1] .…”

“…However, a growing number of people in the world express vaccine hesitancy [1] , [2] . In a previous study (performed in late 2020 and before the start of the vaccination campaign in Iran), we observed that about 11% of the people had vaccine hesitancy [including about 6% of patients with epilepsy (PWE)] [1] . In another study of physicians (neurologists and psychiatrists) (conducted in September 2020 and before COVID-19 vaccines became available in Iran), about 6% of the participants expressed that they would not recommend COVID‐19 vaccines to PWE [3] .…”