COVID-19 vaccination in patients with rheumatic diseases: Vaccination rates, patient perspectives, and side effects

Abstract

Introduction: To investigate the vaccination rate, reported side effects, and patient concerns for COVID-19 vaccination in patients with rheumatic diseases. Methods: A multicentre cross-sectional study from rheumatology clinics in two major hospitals in Hong Kong was conducted between June 3, 2021 and October 8, 2021. Patient interviews for demographics, clinical characteristics, vaccination status, reported side effects, and factors influencing decisions about vaccination were supplemented with structured questionnaires. Results: Out of 1367 patients, 413 (30.2%) had received COVID-19 vaccination. Side effects were reported in 335 (81.1%) of patients, of which the most common were injection site pain or swelling (66.3%), fatigue (57.1%), fever (19.9%), and headache (19.6%). Multivariate logistic regression models showed that males (odds ratio [OR] = 1.80; p