Experiences and perspectives of cancer stakeholders regarding COVID‐19 vaccination

Bartley, Nicci; Havard, Polly; Butow, Phyllis; Shaw, Joanne; ,

doi:10.1111/ajco.13808

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Globally, numerous studies report differing rates of willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccines, including in people with underlying health conditions [14,15]. The decision to accept a vaccine is multifaceted with influences including the motivation for health protection, hesitancy, uncertainty about effects, ease of access and desire for individualized advice [16]. Vaccine hesitancy, defined as "a delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccination despite availability of vaccination services", ref.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Australian Patients with Solid Organ Cancers

et al. 2022

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Background: Vaccination is the cornerstone of the global public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Excess morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 infection is seen in people with cancer. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has been observed in this medically vulnerable population, although associated attitudes and beliefs remain poorly understood. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey of people with solid organ cancers was conducted through nine health services across Australia. Demographics, cancer-related characteristics and vaccine uptake were collected. Perceptions and beliefs regarding COVID-19 vaccination were assessed using the Oxford COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Scale, the Oxford COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence and Complacency Scale and the Disease Influenced Vaccine Acceptance Scale-6. Results: Between June and October 2021, 2691 people with solid organ cancers completed the survey. The median age was 62.5 years (SD = 11.8; range 19–95), 40.9% were male, 71.3% lived in metropolitan areas and 90.3% spoke English as their first language. The commonest cancer diagnoses were breast (36.6%), genitourinary (18.6%) and gastrointestinal (18.3%); 59.2% had localized disease and 56.0% were receiving anti-cancer therapy. Most participants (79.7%) had at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. Vaccine uptake was higher in people who were older, male, metropolitan, spoke English as a first language and had a cancer diagnosis for more than six months. Vaccine hesitancy was higher in people who were younger, female, spoke English as a non-dominant language and lived in a regional location, and lower in people with genitourinary cancer. Vaccinated respondents were more concerned about being infected with COVID-19 and less concerned about vaccine safety and efficacy. Conclusions: People with cancer have concerns about acquiring COVID-19, which they balance against vaccine-related concerns about the potential impact on their disease progress and/or treatment. Detailed exploration of concerns in cancer patients provides valuable insights, both for discussions with individual patients and public health messaging for this vulnerable population.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Australian Patients with Solid Organ Cancers

et al. 2022

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“…This concern is further amplified if a patient with COVID-19 is not only unvaccinated but also has comorbidities such as cancer, predisposing them to higher risk of morbidity and mortality. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has been studied previously in cancer patients worldwide [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 32 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ] and in the United States [ 31 , 33 , 35 , 36 , 45 ], including multiple studies of ethnic minorities in the US [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ], but no known research exists specifically examining ethnic minority cancer patients and their views on the COVID-19 vaccine. This study helps address this gap in the knowledge by uniquely examining two different time-points of vaccination status 6-months post-initial survey, employing a vaccine knowledge score composite and exploring a brief educational intervention to raise patients’ awareness, to gain valuable insight into this distinctly disadvantaged population in the US.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our study demonstrated that participants encountered a wide range of sources of information, from television and radio to online sources such as the internet and social media, along with family and friends, similar to prior research [ 43 ]. Additionally, a positive predictor of vaccination uptake as seen previously was having access to information about COVID-19 vaccines [ 26 , 33 , 44 ], and trusting medical advice on vaccination [ 29 , 35 , 39 ]. Yet, only 60% trusted the information they had received, reflecting wide prior research [ 25 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 33 , 43 , 45 ], and highlighting concerns around the need to acquire more information [ 21 , 46 , 47 , 49 , 50 , 51 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and Assessment of Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in an Ethnic Minority Oncology Patient Population

et al. 2022

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Background: Complicating the COVID-19 pandemic are the healthcare disparities experienced by ethnic minorities, especially those with comorbidities including cancer. The introduction of COVID-19 vaccines has been instrumental in blunting the morbidity and mortality from the pandemic; however, vaccine hesitancy, particularly among ethnic minorities, has been a major concern. Thus, we sought to evaluate the knowledge and perspectives of COVID-19 and vaccines among our ethnic minority cancer patient population. Methods: Following an IRB approved protocol, questionnaires were completed by patients in a predominantly ethnic minority population at a single institution between 1 February and 30 June 2021. Included were any adult cancer patients with either a solid or hematologic malignancy. Results: Among the 84 patients that were offered the questionnaires, 52 patients responded, with a median age of 63.5 years. Overall, 36% were non-Hispanic Blacks and 30% were Hispanics; 65% were receiving active treatment for their cancer. Seventy-nine percent believed COVID-19 to be dangerous or harmful to them, 61% were concerned about the side effects, yet 65% considered COVID-19 vaccines as safe. Among the seven patients that refused the vaccine, (71%, n = 5) cited side effects and/or (57%, n = 4) believed that the vaccine was not needed. Overall, there was a significantly higher chance of being vaccinated if patients were receiving active cancer treatment, believed COVID-19 was harmful, or that the vaccine was safe, and knew COVID-19 was a virus. Conclusions: This exploratory study demonstrates that most ethnic minority cancer patients are receptive to vaccines, with a majority being vaccinated. However, we also discovered various reasons why this group of patients may not want be vaccinated, including concerns about side effects and perception that COVID-19 is not harmful. These findings can help us further understand the complex nature of vaccine hesitancy in ethnic minority cancer patients, and aid in developing future vaccine awareness strategies as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.

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Usage of Heat and Moisture Exchange Devices, Virtual Visits, Masking, and Vaccinations Among People With a Laryngectomy During COVID-19

Searl

Genoa

Fritz

et al. 2023

Am J Speech Lang Pathol

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Purpose: This study described the COVID-19 risk mitigation actions of people with a total laryngectomy (TL) during the pandemic. Method: An online survey was completed by 215 people with a TL who lived in the United States. The survey was open from December 1, 2021, to January 15, 2022. Results: There was a significant increase in frequency of heat and moisture exchange (HME) device use during the pandemic compared with pre–COVID-19. Frequency of HME use was significantly greater for those who were vaccinated and those who had at least one clinical visit with their speech-language pathologist (SLP). The use of virtual visits increased from 9% pre–COVID-19 to 37% during the pandemic. Seventy percent of respondents were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with virtual visits and 51% judged them “as good as in-person.” Eighty percent were vaccinated for COVID-19 and 75% received a booster. One third reported that they did not wear mask over the face or over the tracheostoma. Twenty percent had tested positive for COVID-19 with 70% of these people requiring hospitalization. Conclusions: HME use and virtual SLP visits increased during the pandemic and the vaccination rate was high among this group of respondents. Overall, there were still large percentages of people with a TL who were not using an HME, not vaccinated, and did not wear a mask. SLPs should consider reaching out directly to their TL caseload, particularly those not yet seen during the pandemic, to support uptake of COVID-19 mitigation activities specific to people with a TL as the pandemic persists.

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Experiences and perspectives of cancer stakeholders regarding COVID‐19 vaccination

Cited by 4 publications

References 26 publications

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Australian Patients with Solid Organ Cancers

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Australian Patients with Solid Organ Cancers

Prevalence and Assessment of Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in an Ethnic Minority Oncology Patient Population

Usage of Heat and Moisture Exchange Devices, Virtual Visits, Masking, and Vaccinations Among People With a Laryngectomy During COVID-19

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