Drivers and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination in Australians with cancer
Details
Publication Year 2023-07-21,Volume 31,Issue #8,Page 479
Journal Title
Supportive Care in Cancer
Publication Type
Research article
Abstract
PURPOSE: To understand the drivers and barriers for COVID-19 vaccination in people with cancer in Australia. METHODS: A cross-sectional, online survey, distributed nationally following the establishment of community vaccination programs, wider availability of COVID-19 vaccines and emergence of new variants. Consisting of 21 questions, the survey was designed to determine the behavioural and social drivers of vaccination, participant demographics, underlying disease and treatment, and vaccination status. It was open from the 10th of August 2021 to the 7th of September 2021, recruiting people who had a previous history of cancer (diagnosed or treated in the past 5 years). RESULTS: A total of 1506 responses were included in the final analysis. Overall, 87.8% reported a positive attitude toward vaccination and 83.1% had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Perceived risk of COVID-19 infection (for self and others) and engagement with a trusted health professional were key drivers for vaccination, while concerns about vaccine development, safety and side effects were barriers. Concerns about vaccination mostly stemmed from a place of misinformation, rather than a broader disregard of vaccines. Just over a third (497, 34.3%) of the respondents were concerned that the vaccine would impact their cancer treatment. CONCLUSION: Overall, participants had positive attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination and thought it was safe. Findings supported the role of health professionals and cancer organisations as trusted information providers and calls for more, credible information to help people with cancer make informed decisions about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Publisher
Springer Nature
Keywords
Humans; Australia; *COVID-19/prevention & control; *COVID-19 Vaccines/therapeutic use; Cross-Sectional Studies; *Neoplasms; Vaccination; Health Care Surveys; *Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Health Education; Covid-19; COVID-19 vaccine; Cancer
Department(s)
Health Services Research; Infectious Diseases
PubMed ID
37477843
Terms of Use/Rights Notice
Refer to copyright notice on published article.


Creation Date: 2023-10-17 06:55:45
Last Modified: 2024-07-09 05:01:20

© 2024 The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Access to this website is subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

An error has occurred. This application may no longer respond until reloaded. Reload 🗙