Hesitancy to Receive the Booster Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Among Cancer Patients in China: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Survey — Four PLADs, China, 2022

Abstract

What is already known about this topic? Cancer patients are more vulnerable and have higher mortality rates from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) than the general population; however, coverage for booster doses of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine was low among cancer patients in China. What is added by this report? Overall, 32.0% and 56.4% of cancer patients from four Provincial Level Administration Divisions (PLADs) expressed hesitancy toward the first and second booster doses, respectively. Factors negatively associated with hesitancy to receive booster doses included positive attitudes, perceived support, and higher exposure to COVID-19 vaccination information. Conversely, postvaccination fatigue was positively associated with vaccine hesitancy. What are the implications for public health practice? Improved COVID-19 vaccination coverage is needed to promote health for cancer patients.