Attitude towards and perception of individual safety after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination among German cancer patients

Abstract

Purpose: Refusal to receive SARS-CoV-2 vaccination poses a threat to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Little is known about German cancer patients’ attitude towards and experience with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Methods: Patients were enrolled between 04–11/2021. They completed a baseline questionnaire (BLQ) containing multiple choice questions and Likert items ranging from 1 (“totally disagree”) to 11 (“totally agree”) regarding their attitude towards vaccination and COVID-19. A follow-up questionnaire (FUQ) was completed after vaccination. Results: 218 patients (43% female) completed BLQ (110 FUQ; 48% female). Most patients agreed to “definitely get vaccinated” (82%) and disagreed with “SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is dispensable due to COVID-19 being no serious threat” (82%; more dissent among men, p = 0.05). Self-assessment as a member of a risk group (p = 0.03) and fear of COVID-19 (p = 0.002) were more common among women. Fear of side effects was more common among women (p = 0.002) and patients with solid or GI tumors (p = 0.03; p < 0.0001). At FUQ, almost all (91%) reported their vaccination to be well tolerated, especially men (p = 0.001). High tolerability correlated with confidence in the vaccine being safe (r = 0.305, p = 0.003). Most patients would agree to get it yearly (78%). After vaccination, patients felt safe meeting friends/family (91%) or shopping (62%). Vacation (32%) or work (22%) were among others considered less safe (less frequent among men, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Acceptance of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is high and it is well tolerated in this sensitive cohort. However, concerns about vaccine safety remain. Those and gender differences need to be addressed. Our results help identify patients that benefit from pre-vaccination consultation.