Attitudes towards COVID‑19 vaccination in patients with cancer: A cross‑sectional study of 12 oncology centers

Lazar,Raluca; Oprean,Cristina Marinela; Badau,Larisa Maria; Miron,Geanina; Draganescu,Loredana; Torok‑Vistai,Tunde; Coroian,Iulia; Sabau,Diana; Iliescu,Alexandru; Tamas,Loredana Aracs; Hosu,Sorin; Curca,Razvan; Gatej,Alexandra; Hora,Amalia; Ungureanu,Andrei; Parvu,Doru; Valean,Dan; Usatiuc,Lia Oxana; Vidra,Radu

doi:10.3892/mco.2022.2595

Attitudes towards COVID‑19 vaccination in patients with cancer: A cross‑sectional study of 12 oncology centers

Authors:
- Raluca Lazar
- Cristina Marinela Oprean
- Larisa Maria Badau
- Geanina Miron
- Loredana Draganescu
- Tunde Torok‑Vistai
- Iulia Coroian
- Diana Sabau
- Alexandru Iliescu
- Loredana Aracs Tamas
- Sorin Hosu
- Razvan Curca
- Alexandra Gatej
- Amalia Hora
- Andrei Ungureanu
- Doru Parvu
- Dan Valean
- Lia Oxana Usatiuc
- Radu Vidra
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Affiliations: Oncology Department, ‘Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta’ Oncology Institute, 400015 Cluj‑Napoca, Romania, ANAPATMOL Research Center, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania, Department of Oncology, ONCOHELP Hospital Timisoara, 300239 Timisoara, Romania, Department of Oncology, Emergency County Hospital, 420094 Bistrita, Romania, Hematology Department, ‘Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta’ Oncology Institute, 400015 Cluj‑Napoca, Romania, Oncology Department, Baia Mare Emergency County Hospital, 43003 Baia Mare, Romania, Oncology Department, Pelican Hospital Oradea, 410469 Oradea, Romania, Oncology Department, Zalau Emergency County Hospital, 450129 Zalău, Romania, Oncology Department, Satu‑Mare Emergency County Hospital, 440011 Satu‑Mare, Romania, Oncology Department, Alba‑Iulia Emergency County Hospital, 510073 Alba‑Iulia, Romania, Oncology Department, Amethyst Oncology Clinic Timisoara, 307160 Dumbravita Timis, Romania, Oncology Department, Emergency Hospital, Oradea, 410169 Oradea, Romania, Oncology Department, Amethyst Oncology Clinic Cluj, 407280 Floresti Cluj, Romania, Oncology Department, CardioMed, 400015 Cluj‑Napoca, Romania, Oncology Department, ‘Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor’ Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj‑Napoca, Romania, Oncology Department, ‘Iuliu Hateganu’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj‑Napoca, Romania
Published online on: November 1, 2022 https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2022.2595
Article Number: 162
Copyright: © Lazar et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Patients with cancer are a high‑priority population for COVID‑19 vaccination, as per guideline recommendations. The present cross‑sectional study was performed to assess the perception of patients with cancer from Romania regarding COVID‑19 vaccines. The study included 932 patients with solid and hematologic malignancies. This was a multicenter study including 12 oncology centers located in Western and Northwestern Romania. Between December 2021 and January 2022, patients with cancer completed an individual paper questionnaire regarding acceptance of the SARS‑CoV‑2 vaccination, type of vaccine, side effects and source of information. During the first year of the vaccination campaign in Romania, 58.05% (541/932) of the investigated patients received COVID‑19 vaccines. The vaccination rate was highest in the 61‑70 year age group (61.22%). The most frequently used vaccine was Pfizer‑BioNTech (72%). There was a statistically significant association between the rate of vaccination and the area of residence and level of education (P<0.001), with rural residence and a lower level of education being predictive factors for COVID‑19 vaccination hesitancy. Patients living in rural areas used non‑medical sources (e.g. mass media, social platforms) as their main source of information (53.40%, 204/382), whereas patients living in urban areas (64.90%, 357/550) used predominantly medical sources (e.g. recommendations from oncologists and general practitioners). The main source of information among non‑vaccinated patients was mass media (e.g. television, radio); 72.38% vs. 29.67% among vaccinated patients. For the latter, the primary source of information was the recommendations made by oncologists (59.70%) and general practitioners (56.76%). The most commonly reported side effect was injection site pain (20‑33% for the first dose and 5‑27% for the second dose). In conclusion, the present study confirmed that patients with cancer may be reluctant to receive a COVID‑19 vaccine, mainly due to the fear of its potential side effects. Although there is scientific evidence to support the efficacy and safety of vaccines, the primary source of information for patients may affect vaccine uptake, thus affecting the efforts to stop the pandemic. Furthermore, the present study revealed that non‑vaccinated patients preferred mass media as their main source of information, whereas vaccinated patients relied on the recommendations made by oncologists or general practitioners.

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