COVID‐19 vaccination hesitancy in patients with autoimmune diseases: A mystery that needs an immediate solution!

Ali, Zahid; Sarwar, Musharraf; Ansar, Sheraz; Awan, Usman Ayub; Ahmed, Haroon; Aftab, Mohammad; Afzal, Muhammad Sohail

doi:10.1002/jmv.27014

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…However, other studies reported safety concerns among patients with IEI or AIIRDs. Some studies evaluated the specific patient concerns related to the COVID-19 vaccine, which included unknown long-term side effects, the newness of the COVID-19 vaccine, and the perception of rushed development and introduction with potential financial links to the pharmaceutical companies ( 9 , 18 , 24 , 26 ). Those unvaccinated also feared that the vaccine would be harmful and could cause thrombosis ( 24 ), despite well-documented contrary evidence ( 43 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies have reported vaccine hesitancy in 13.4%, 19.4%, and 17.8% of patients with cancer, autoimmune diseases, and chronic lung diseases, respectively (6), despite expert opinions that the benefits of being vaccinated outweigh the limitations of available evidence for a specific high-risk group (7)(8)(9)(10). Moreover, vaccine resistance appears to correlate with geographic location, country-specific regulations of vaccines availability, the proposed vaccination schedule, study methodologies, the study period in relation to the pandemic wave, and evolving vaccine safety and efficacy data (1,(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination uptake and hesitancy among Polish patients with inborn errors of immunity, autoinflammatory syndromes, and rheumatic diseases: A multicenter survey

Więsik-Szewczyk

Ziętkiewicz²,

Będzichowska³

et al. 2022

Front. Immunol.

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Data regarding the willingness of patients affected by inborn errors of immunity to accept vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are limited. Therefore, this study assessed SARS-CoV-2 vaccination coverage and hesitancy in immunodeficient patients by surveying adults with primary immune deficiencies and autoinflammatory and rheumatic diseases on biologic therapy. The study was conducted from September 20, 2021, to January 22, 2022, when the primary coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations were available to all adults in Poland. We included 207 participants consecutively recruited from five referral centers (57% female; median age: 42.6 [range: 18–76, standard deviation ± 14.70] years). Overall, 55% (n = 114), 17% (n = 36), and 28% (n = 57) of the patients had primary immune deficiencies, autoinflammatory diseases, and rheumatic diseases, respectively. Among the entire cohort, 168 patients (81%) were vaccinated, and 82% were willing to receive a booster dose. Patients with autoinflammatory diseases had the highest vaccination rate (94.4%). A strong conviction that it was the correct decision (72%), fear of getting COVID-19 (38%), and expert opinions (34%) influenced the decision to vaccinate. Among the unvaccinated patients, 33.3% had primary or vocational education (p <0.001). Furthermore, only 33% believed they were at risk of a severe course of COVID-19 (p = 0.014), and 10% believed in vaccine efficacy (p <0.001). They also doubted the safety of the vaccine (p <0.001) and feared a post-vaccination flare of their disease (p <0.001). Half of the unvaccinated respondents declared that they would consider changing their decision. Vaccination coverage in immunodeficient patients was higher than in the general Polish population. However, the hesitant patients doubted the vaccine’s safety, feared a post-vaccination disease flare, and had primary or vocational education. Therefore, vaccination promotion activities should stress personal safety and the low risk of disease flares due to vaccination. Furthermore, all evidence must be communicated in patient-friendly terms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination uptake and hesitancy among Polish patients with inborn errors of immunity, autoinflammatory syndromes, and rheumatic diseases: A multicenter survey

Więsik-Szewczyk

Ziętkiewicz²,

Będzichowska³

et al. 2022

Front. Immunol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The heterogeneous nature of the systemic autoimmune diseases and the immunosuppressive therapy might lead to concerns of severe outcomes in these patients. Thus, the perception towards the vaccination and immunological response might vary compared to the general population (Ali et al, 2021;Gaur et al, 2021). The reservations to get vaccinated against COVID-19 might be especially apparent for these patients since there is no data available about the balance between benefits and risks of the newly developed COVID-19 vaccines in this population (Boekel et al, 2021;Eftimov et al 2021).…”

Section: Systemic Autoimmune Diseases and Covid-19mentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 vaccine literacy in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases

et al. 2022

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COVID-19 related infodemic is a threat to the successful COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. This might be especially apparent for patients with autoimmune diseases since there is no data available about the balance between benefits and risks of the newly developed COVID-19 vaccines in this population. We aim (i) to evaluate vaccine literacy skills in a population of patients with systemic autoimmune diseases, (ii) to examine the potential associations between vaccine literacy skills and sociodemographic characteristics and (iii) to analyze the relationships between attitudes, perceptions and beliefs about current vaccinations and vaccine literacy skills and sociodemographic characteristics. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 319 patients with systemic autoimmune diseases (92% females; 49.5% of patients in the 31–50 years age category). The vaccine literacy levels were determined using the Health Literacy about Vaccination in adulthood in Italian (HLVa-IT). Sociodemographic characteristics including gender, age, country and area of residence, civil status, socioeconomic status, educational attainment and occupational status were evaluated. The mean vaccine literacy functional and interactive-critical scores were 2.59 ± 0.74 and 3.07 ± 0.60, respectively. The vaccine literacy interactive-critical score was higher in females than in males (p = 0.048). Interactive-critical scores were associated with the area of residence, civil status and socioeconomic status, with the highest score in urban area of ≥ 100.000 inhabitants (p = 0.045), in widow patients (p = 0.023) and in patients with high socioeconomic status (p = 0.018). Significant differences were observed between the different education levels, for both the functional and the interactive-critical scores (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively), the highest score was observed in patients who completed a university degree. The level of vaccine literacy for functional and interactive-critical scales were medium. Area of residence, civil status and socioeconomic status represented determinants of vaccine literacy interactive-critical scale. Educational attainment also contributes to vaccine literacy functional scale. Insight into these factors is required to ensure an optimal vaccine literacy level in patients with autoimmune diseases.

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“…Evidence suggests that establishing clear communication strategies and protocols for the COVID-19 vaccination is challenging. Although it is apparent that vaccinations do not pose a more prominent danger than the infections themselves, healthcare providers and communities are still concerned about the potential risk of worsening autoimmune diseases owing to insufficient data [ 25 ]. Currently, there is limited data available on the benefits and risks of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with autoimmune diseases [ 26 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy in Autoimmune Disease Patients: Policy Action and Ethical Considerations

Shafik,

Akpo,

Waterfield

et al. 2023

Vaccines

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As COVID-19 vaccination guidelines were issued by Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) across the US, each state and clinical provider instituted vaccine implementation and education policies and protocols for high-risk populations. However, current research has shown that while people with autoimmune diseases were listed by ACIP and CDC as a COVID-19 high-risk population, the rate of adherence to implementation and education protocols, as well as the prioritization of this sub-population as a high-risk group, varied among the clinicians and vaccinators thus impacting the hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccine and a correlation to low vaccination rates. The purpose of this review was to explore factors of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in people living with autoimmune diseases in relation to current implementation and education policies and protocols, as well as ethical and contextual factors, while providing possible implications. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in people living with autoimmune disease was greater than in the general population, as demonstrated by increased levels of overall mistrust and fear of potential risk and harmful side effects. Evidence has shown that COVID-19 vaccination is safe and effective for patients with autoimmune diseases. Additionally, the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh its potential risks and adverse effects in this population. However, the non-adherence to policy and protocols, especially community education protocols, by those providing the vaccination have a negative impact on the overall perception of the vaccine and needs to be addressed at local and state levels in order to protect this population. Future research should provide strategies to guide collaborative efforts between government and local agencies in providing tailored vaccination campaigns to this population. In parallel with policy, COVID-19 vaccination intervention implementation and educational protocols should be developed with evidence-based guidelines for public health and clinical professionals that are targeted at this vulnerable high-risk population.

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COVID‐19 vaccination hesitancy in patients with autoimmune diseases: A mystery that needs an immediate solution!

Cited by 8 publications

References 15 publications

Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination uptake and hesitancy among Polish patients with inborn errors of immunity, autoinflammatory syndromes, and rheumatic diseases: A multicenter survey

Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination uptake and hesitancy among Polish patients with inborn errors of immunity, autoinflammatory syndromes, and rheumatic diseases: A multicenter survey

COVID-19 vaccine literacy in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases

COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy in Autoimmune Disease Patients: Policy Action and Ethical Considerations

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