Perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine Among Patients With Cancer: A Single-Institution Survey

Abstract

<b>Aims:</b> This paper reports the results of a survey assessing the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among patients with cancer. <b>Patients and methods:</b> In total, 111 adult patients with cancer from a single institution were asked to complete a questionnaire designed to assess their knowledge about the vaccine, their readiness to be vaccinated and the determinants of their decision. <b>Results:</b> 61.3% of the patients considered themselves more vulnerable to COVID-19 than the general population. Television, radio and newspapers were the major sources of information about the vaccine. A total of 55% of the patients were ready to be vaccinated and 14.4% refused the vaccine. The main reason for refusal was incompatibility with patients' disease or treatment. <b>Conclusion:</b> Most of the patients in this institutional sample accepted the COVID-19 vaccine. Better communication of information with patients is needed to decrease vaccine hesitancy.