COVID‐19 vaccination hesitancy among people with dementia

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundpeople with dementia is a vulnerable category during COVID‐19 pandemic. COVID‐19 vaccination hesitancy was one of the main issues during pandemic with multiple factors involved. Aim of the study: to evaluate COVID‐19 vaccination hesitancy among people with dementia and factors involved.Methodprospective study on 134 patients (60.44% females) with a mean age of 73.45 ± 17.12 years. We used a standardised questionnaire to assess the attitude and risk factors of COVID‐19 vaccination hesitancy. There were two assessment periods: 1.) 01.07.2021 – 31.09.2021 and 2.) 01.02.2022‐ 31.04.2022.Resulta total of 25 (18.65%) people with different form of dementia were vaccinated during the first study period. For the remaining 110 patients, vaccination hesitancy involved (one or multiple factors): vaccine insufficient tested (61 patients, 55.45%), possible serious side effects (25 patients, 22.72%), safety of COVID‐19 vaccine over dementia (74 patients, 67.27%), and worsening of cognition symptoms (63 patients, 57.27%). A number of 51 patients (46.36%) were advised by the family and relatives to wait, not to vaccinate in that period. Intention to vaccinate in the future was expressed by 39 patients (35.45%): 10 very likely (25.64%) and 29 (74.35%) likely. Patients with dementia living in rural parts, with relatives with high frequency of vaccination hesitancy are more likely to hesitate to vaccinate. They get the information especially from family members and TV.ConclusionCOVID‐19 vaccination hesitancy among people with dementia involve concerns related to possible side effects of the vaccine and risk of worsening of dementia symptoms.