Prevalence and Impact Factors of COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy Among Breast Cancer Survivors: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study in China

Cancer patients are at a high risk of being infected with COVID-19 and have poor prognosis after infection. Breast cancer is one the most common cancers. Since vaccination is an effective measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we studied the vaccination rate among breast cancer survivors and analyzed their characteristics to provide evidence for boosting the vaccination rate. The researchers conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional study on 747 breast cancer survivors from six hospitals in Wuhan city between June 5 and June 12, 2021. Self-administrated questionnaires based on relevant studies were distributed. The researchers then compared differences in characteristics among vaccinated patients, hesitant patients, and non-vaccinated patients. Moreover, they performed univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify potential factors associated with vaccination hesitancy. The researchers assessed a total of 744 breast cancer survivors; 94 cases in the vaccinated group, 103 in the planning group, 295 in the hesitancy group, and 252 in the refusal group. The vaccination rate was 12.63% (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.25% to 15.02%), and 37.23% (95% CI 27.48% to 47.82%) patients reported adverse reactions. The vaccination hesitancy/refusal rate was 73.52% (95% CI 70.19% to 76.66%), which was independently associated with current endocrine or targeted therapy (OR=1.52, 95% CI 1.03-2.24), no notification from communities or units (OR=2.46, 95% CI 1.69-3.59) and self-perceived feel (general vs good, OR=1.46, 95%CI 1.01-2.13; bad vs good, OR=4.75, 95%CI 1.85-12.16). In hesitancy/refusal group, the primary reasons were “I did not know who to ask whether I can get vaccinated” (46.07%), opinions of doctors in charge of treatment (35.83%) and doctors in charge of vaccination (17.55%) would influence patients’ decision to vaccination. Researchers observed COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among breast cancer survivors. Targeted patients at a high risk of infection were vaccine hesitant. Effective interaction between doctors and patients, simple and consistent practical guidelines on vaccination, and timely and positive information from authoritative media could combat misinformation and greatly reduce vaccine hesitancy among breast cancer survivors.