COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among patients with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: Patients with cancer are more vulnerable to COVID-19 morbidity and morbidity than the general population and have been prioritised in COVID-19 vaccination programmes. This study aims to investigate COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among patients with cancer.Study design: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed, ScienceDirect and the Cochrane COVID-19 study registry were searched in addition to secondary literature using a predefined search method. Two authors independently performed the study identification, screening and eligibility assessment. This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines and Joanna Brides' Institute quality appraisal tools.Results: A total of 29 studies and reports were selected for the final review. The pooled prevalence of vaccine acceptance was 59% (95% confidence interval 52-67%, I2: 99%). Concerns about vaccine-related side-effects, uncertainty about vaccine efficacy and safety, ongoing active anticancer therapies and scepticism about rapid vaccine development were the leading causes for vaccine hesitancy. Female gender and undergoing active anticancer treatments were significant factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Early cancer stages (stages I and II) and good compliance with prior influenza vaccinations were significant factors asso-ciated with the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine.Conclusions: Many patients with cancer are hesitant about COVID-19 vaccination. Well-designed prob-lem-based educational interventions will increase compliance with COVID-19 vaccination. (c) 2022 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigated COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among patients with cancer. The overall vaccine acceptance rate was 59%, with concerns about side effects, uncertainty about efficacy and safety, and skepticism about rapid vaccine development being the main reasons for hesitancy. Female gender and undergoing active anticancer treatments were associated with vaccine hesitancy. Good compliance with prior influenza vaccinations and early cancer stages (stages I and II) were associated with vaccine acceptance.