Vaccine Enthusiasm and Hesitancy in Cancer Patients and the Impact of a Webinar

Kelkar, Amar H. and Blake, Jodian A. and Cherabuddi, Kartikeya and Cornett, Hailee and McKee, Bobbie L. and Cogle, Christopher R. (2021) Vaccine Enthusiasm and Hesitancy in Cancer Patients and the Impact of a Webinar. Healthcare, 9 (3). p. 351. ISSN 2227-9032

[thumbnail of healthcare-09-00351-v2.pdf] Text
healthcare-09-00351-v2.pdf - Published Version

Download (1MB)

Abstract

(1) Background: Vaccine hesitancy and rejection are major threats to controlling coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is a paucity of information about the attitudes of cancer patients towards vaccinations and the role of clinical oncologists in influencing vaccination acceptance. (2) Methods: Cancer patients and caregivers were invited to participate in a webinar and two surveys (pre- and post-webinar) assessing intention and thought processes associated with receiving COVID-19 vaccines. (3) Results: Two hundred and sixty-four participants participated in the webinar and registered to take at least one survey. Participants reported receiving most of their COVID-19 vaccine information from their doctor, clinic, or hospital. Before the webinar, 71% of participants reported the intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, 24% were unsure, and 5% had no intention of receiving a vaccine. The strongest predictors of vaccine enthusiasm were (a) planning to encourage the vaccination of family, friends, co-workers, and community, and (b) physician recommendation. The chief reason for vaccine hesitancy was a fear of side effects. After the webinar, 82.5% reported the intention to receive a vaccine, 15.4% were still unsure, and 2% stated that they had no intention of receiving a vaccine. The webinar shifted the attitude towards vaccine enthusiasm, despite an already vaccine-enthusiastic population. Communicating about vaccines using positive framing is associated with greater vaccine enthusiasm. (4) Conclusions: Patient education programs co-hosted by multiple stakeholders and delivered by oncologists can increase cancer patient enthusiasm for COVID-19 vaccination.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: EP Archives > Medical Science
Depositing User: Managing Editor
Date Deposited: 20 Feb 2023 05:57
Last Modified: 29 Mar 2024 04:07
URI: http://research.send4journal.com/id/eprint/1024

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item