COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among patients with epilepsy or other chronic conditions

Asadi-Pooya, Ali A; Barzegar, Zohreh; Sadeghian, Saeid; Nezafat, Abdullah; Shahisavandi, Mina; Nabavizadeh, Seyed Ali

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the opinions of different groups of people in Iran on their willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed a sample (based on consecutive referrals) of five groups of people in late 2020: a group of the general population from Shiraz (without a history of any chronic medical or psychiatric problems), patients with epilepsy, patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), patients with cardiac problems, and patients with psychiatric problems. The survey included four general questions and three COVID-19 specific questions. RESULTS: 582 people participated. In Total, 66 (11.3%) people expressed that they were not willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Psychiatric disorders (OR: 3.15; 95% CI: 1.31-7.60; p = 0.006) and male sex (OR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.23-3.58; p = 0.010) were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. CONCLUSION: Vaccine hesitancy is a global issue. Patients with psychiatric disorders had the highest rate of vaccine hesitancy. Previous studies have shown that depression and anxiety are associated with a reduced adherence to the recommended medical advices. Why male sex is associated with vaccine hesitancy is not clear. Researchers should investigate the rates and the factors affecting the vaccine hesitancy in their corresponding communities.