COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Among Cancer Patients at Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared as pandemic by World Health Organization (WHO) on 30th January 2020. Cancer patients are a vulnerable population with increased risk for mortality associated with COVID-19 infection. In this study, we report the impact of education for acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in our cancer patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study between 1st August 2021 and 31st October 2021. All patients with diagnosis of cancer who presented to the oncology clinic were asked whether they received COVID-19 vaccine or planning to get vaccinated. Patients, who had refused the vaccine, were educated to get vaccinated. Post counseling, they were again asked if they would agree to get vaccinated. Results: Out of 512 cancer patients, 274 (53.5%) were male. Of total, 456 (89.1%) were diagnosed cases of solid malignancy. Patients who were on active oncological treatment were 406 (79.3%). Of total 512, 396 (77.3%) patients agreed for the COVID-19 vaccine while 116 (22.7%) had refused to get vaccinated. Of those 116, 75 (64.7%) patients accepted to get vaccinated post counseling. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance is higher among cancer patients at our institute compared to reported data. Oncologists should play a key role in encouraging their patients to get vaccine in order to reduce COVID-19 related mortality.