COVID-19 Vaccine in Inherited Metabolic Disorders Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study on Rate of Acceptance, Safety Profile and Effect on Disease

Abstract

Background: Vaccines for COVID-19 have had a significant impact on the spread of COVID-19 infection, reducing the incidence and mortality of the infection in several countries. However, hesitancy toward this vaccine is a global health issue for the general population The Vaccine acceptance rate among patients affected with inherited metabolic disorders (IMD), as well as safety profile, has not been described. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study, based on a telephone survey, investigating the COVID-19 vaccination rate, the incidence and type of adverse effects (AEs), the reasons for vaccine refusal and the effects on the underlying disease in a cohort of IMD patients followed at a single center and invited directly to vaccination by specialistic team. Results: Seventy-four patients were included in the study, the median age was 23.4 years (min 12.1–max 61.7), 47% (n = 85) were females and 61% (107) were affected from impaired metabolism of phenylalanine. By October 2021, 94% (n = 163) of them had received at least one dose of the vaccine, which was, in 98% of cases, mRNA-based vaccine, given at the referral hospital in 65% of cases. Overall, 72% of patients with IMD reported AE to the vaccine: 60% after the first dose, 81% after the second. The highest rate of adverse events at the first dose was reported in patients with amino acids related disorders other than impaired phenylalanine metabolism (PKU/HPA) (88%). For the second dose, the PKU/HPA group reported the highest rate of AEs (89% of cases). There was no effect on the underlying disease or acute decompensation after the vaccine. Eleven patients (6%) were not vaccinated because they considered it dangerous. Conclusion: Among individuals with IMD, the vaccination rate was high, the incidence and severity of AEs were comparable to those in the general population with no effects on the disease. Direct contact with the specialist medical team, has proven to reassure patients and effectively contrast hesitancy.

Symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccine status of sixty-seven adult patients affected by inherited metabolic diseases: a phone survey

“…Of those who contracted the disease, 37% reported "long Covid" symptoms, the most frequent of which were shortness of breath, palpitations and fever, with an average duration of 81 (± 74) days. Tummolo et al recently published an interesting study evaluating 174 patients; they reported that before October 2021, 94% of the patients had received at least one dose of vaccine; unvaccinated patients were 27.1 years old on average [17]. The two main reasons were fear of the vaccine being intrinsically dangerous and fear that getting vaccinated could worsen their IMD.…”

Symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccine status of sixty-seven adult patients affected by inherited metabolic diseases: a phone survey.

“…Tummolo et al recently published an interesting study evaluating 174 patients; they reported that before October 2021, 94% of the patients had received at least one dose of vaccine; unvaccinated patients were 27.1 years old on average [17]. The two main reasons were fear of the vaccine being intrinsically dangerous and fear that getting vaccinated could worsen their IMD.…”