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Chan WL, Ho YHT, Wong CKH, Choi HCW, Lam KO, Yuen KK, Kwong D, Hung I. Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination in Cancer Patients in Hong Kong: Approaches to Improve the Vaccination Rate. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9070792. [PMID: 34358208 PMCID: PMC8310340 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging efficacy and safety data have led to the authorization of COVID-19 vaccines worldwide, but most trials excluded patients with active malignancies. This study evaluates the intended acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients in Hong Kong. Methods: 660 adult cancer patients received a survey, in paper or electronic format, between 31 January 2021 and 15 February 2021. The survey included patient’s clinical characteristics, perceptions of COVID-19 and vaccination, vaccine knowledge, cancer health literacy, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS). The primary outcome was the intended acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine in cancer patients. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify factors associated with intended acceptance. Results: The intended acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination was 17.9%. A total of 487 (73.8%) believed that vaccination could prevent them from infection. Over 70% worried about vaccine negative effects on cancer and its side effects. Factors associated with intended acceptance included higher level of “belief in vaccine on preventing them from getting COVID-19”, less worry about long-term side effects of vaccine, lower level of cancer health literacy, and normal HADS (Depression scale). Conclusions: To improve vaccine acceptance rate, public education campaigns specific to cancer patients to gain their trust in efficacy and relieve their worries are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing-Lok Chan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (Y.-H.T.H.); (K.-O.L.); (D.K.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Yuen-Hung Tricia Ho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (Y.-H.T.H.); (K.-O.L.); (D.K.)
| | - Carlos King-Ho Wong
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Horace Cheuk-Wai Choi
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China; (H.C.-W.C.); (K.-K.Y.)
| | - Ka-On Lam
- Department of Clinical Oncology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (Y.-H.T.H.); (K.-O.L.); (D.K.)
| | - Kwok-Keung Yuen
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China; (H.C.-W.C.); (K.-K.Y.)
| | - Dora Kwong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; (Y.-H.T.H.); (K.-O.L.); (D.K.)
| | - Ivan Hung
- Department of Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
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