key: cord-0807664-khicw7ef
authors: Villarreal-Garza, Cynthia; Vaca-Cartagena, Bryan F.; Becerril-Gaitan, Andrea; Castilleja-Leal, Fernando
title: Letter to Editor, Re: The first report on Covid-19 vaccine refusal by cancer patients in Italy: early data from a single-institute survey: Educational Webinar about COVID-19 Vaccines in Oncological Patients: A Promising Strategy to Tackle COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy
date: 2021-09-29
journal: Eur J Cancer
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.08.051
sha: e95d08435e88a4303267c717f6199169c74edac0
doc_id: 807664
cord_uid: khicw7ef

nan

Dear Editor

In a recently published article in the European Journal of Cancer, Di Noia et al. 1 documented a vaccine refusal rate towards COVID-19 immunization of 11% in patients with solid tumors after being informed by their treating physicians the benefits and potential risks of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Several studies worldwide have documented varying rates of vaccine hesitancy among oncological patients that can be as high as 59%. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 The increased risk of infection and COVID-19 associated morbidity and mortality in cancer patients, as well as the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants that keep imposing a tremendous strain on healthcare services worldwide, makes the high hesitancy rate towards COVID-19 immunization a matter of great concern.

Di Noia et al. 1 found that the most common reasons associated with vaccine refusal were fear of vaccine-related adverse events (48%), negative interaction with concomitant antitumor therapy (27%), and fear of allergic reactions (11%). These concerns, as well as the lack of information regarding the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, are among the most commonly associated factors with vaccine hesitancy in the oncological population. 1, [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] Fortunately, the majority of studies assessing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among these patients have found that the most common reasons that could motivate hesitant patients to get vaccinated were being recommended by their oncologists/treating physician and having more information regarding COVID-19 vaccines' effectiveness and safety. [3] [4] [5] [6] 8 In accordance with these findings, vaccines were recommended, safe, and effective in oncological patients, respectively. In the second survey, these numbers decreased to 1 (3%), 3 (8%), and 7 (19%), respectively.

Responses of participants who completed both surveys (n=11) were explored using McNemar's test. After watching the webinar, a significant increase in the number of those acknowledging that COVID-19 vaccines were safe (45% v 100%, p=0.031), effective (36% v 91%, p=0.031), and recommended (45% v 100%, p=0.031) for oncological patients was documented. Moreover, cancer patients (n=8, 100%) who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine stated that this webinar convinced them to get vaccinated.

These results show that educational interventions could be a promising and feasible strategy for tackling COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the oncological population, and to increase COVID-19 vaccine literacy among the general population. Similarly, Kelkar et al. 9 documented the positive impact that an educational webinar could have on the attitudes towards COVID-19 immunization among cancer patients and their caregivers. They found that before the intervention, 71% of participants were willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, while after the webinar this percentage increased to 83%. 9 J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f

The first report on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine refusal by patients with solid cancer in Italy: Early data from a single-institute survey

Refusal of anti-coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination in cancer patients: Is there a difference between the sexes?

Acceptance of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination among French patients with cancer: a cross-sectional survey

Attitudes and Factors Associated With COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Patients With Breast Cancer

Cancer Patients' Willingness to Take COVID-19 Vaccination: A Nationwide Multicenter Survey in Korea. Cancers (Basel)

Attitudes of Patients with Cancer towards Vaccinations-Results of Online Survey with Special Focus on the Vaccination against COVID-19. Vaccines (Basel)

Cancer patients and internal medicine patients attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination in Poland

COVID-19 vaccine uptake and vaccine hesitancy in Indian patients with cancer: A questionnairebased survey

Vaccine Enthusiasm and Hesitancy in Cancer Patients and the Impact of a Webinar. Healthcare (Basel)

Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States