Beliefs regarding SARS-COV-2 vaccine in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia

Shruti Kakkar; Pranjl Sharma; Sukhmani Sidhu; Shaina Kamboj; Suraj Luthra; Rashmi Kapoor; Priyanka Dewan

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20222528

Authors

Shruti Kakkar Department of Pediatrics, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
Pranjl Sharma Department of Community Medicine, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
Sukhmani Sidhu Intern, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, Indi
Shaina Kamboj MBBS Student, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
Suraj Luthra MBBS Student, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
Rashmi Kapoor Department of Pediatrics, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
Priyanka Dewan Child Psychologist, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20222528

Keywords:

SARS-CoV-2, Transfusion dependent thalassemia, Vaccine acceptance, Vaccine hesitancy

Abstract

Background: SARS-CoV-2 vaccination drive generated varying responses in the general public. This study aimed to assess the vaccination acceptance amongst patients with thalassemia and to elucidate their beliefs regarding SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Methods: A prospective observational study was done involving thalassemia patients above the age of 18 years in the thalassemia day care center of our hospital.

Results: The study assessed 145 patients with a male to female ratio of 1.5:1 and a mean age of 25.6±6 years. Seventy-six (52.4%) of the study population had already been vaccinated with the first dose, 25.5% (n=37) were willing to get vaccinated, however, 22% were vaccine-hesitant. Vaccine hesitancy was 25.5% in males compared to 16.9% in females. The fear of adverse effects to the vaccine is a major deterrent to the vaccination. Patients considered themselves at high risk of COVID-19 disease and adverse effects of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

Conclusions: Vaccine hesitancy was observed in 22% of patients. A significantly higher proportion of these patients considered vaccines unsafe and ineffective. Public sharing of safety and efficacy data may help in improving trust in the vaccine.

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