Perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine among patients with cancer: a single-institution survey

Moujaess, Elissar; Zeid, Naji Bou; Samaha, Ramy; Sawan, Joud; Kourie, Hampig; Labaki, Chris; Chebel, Roy; Chahine, Georges; Karak, Fadi El; Nasr, Fadi; Ghosn, Marwan; Wakim, Jad; Kattan, Joseph

Aims: This paper reports the results of a survey assessing the acceptance of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine among patients with cancer. Patients and methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.