Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy or refusal has arisen as a major global public health concern. The aim of this study was to address the attitudes of patients with autoimmune and autoinflammatory rheumatological diseases (AIIRDs) about COVID-19 vaccination and investigate the factors that influence their decision. Methods This interview-based cross-sectional study was carried out on AIIRD patients at the period between 15 August and 15 September 2021. The questionnaire included socioeconomic data, intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine, AIIRD subtype, disease duration, associated comorbidities, history of COVID-19, beliefs and attitudes towards COVID-19, and conventional vaccination in general and COVID-19 vaccine in particular, in addition to COVID-19 vaccination status. Results A total of 206 AIIRD patients were included, with a mean age of 37.61 years (SD = 10.67), and 84% were females. The percentage of vaccine acceptance was 70.39%, while only 16.02% were hesitant and 13.59% were resistant to COVID-19 vaccination. About one-fourth of patients reported getting infected with COVID-19. Of them, 15.1% were hospitalized and 5.7% were admitted at the intensive care unit (ICU). Most of the AIIRD patients (77.2%) believed that they are at a higher risk of getting COVID-19. The main motivation for vaccine acceptance was the fear of being infected (41.4%). About 40% of vaccine nonacceptants fear about the serious side effects of COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion There is a high acceptability rate of COVID-19 vaccination among AIIRD patients. Public health workers and policymakers must emphasize efficient COVID-19 vaccine acceptance messaging for all AIIRD patients.
Highlights
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy or refusal has arisen as a major global public health concern. e aim of this study was to address the attitudes of patients with autoimmune and autoinflammatory rheumatological diseases (AIIRDs) about COVID-19 vaccination and investigate the factors that influence their decision
Patients aged less than 18 years or who had degenerative joint diseases unrelated to AIIRDs and neurological or psychological disabilities were excluded from the start
A pilot study was conducted to validate the questionnaire, and 5 rheumatology staff members reviewed the correctness of the translation, questionnaire design, content, words, comprehension, and ease of completion. e questions were made in an attempt to be as simple as possible, with the answers limited to yes/no except for the questions about assessment of beliefs about conventional vaccination
Summary
E aim of this study was to address the attitudes of patients with autoimmune and autoinflammatory rheumatological diseases (AIIRDs) about COVID-19 vaccination and investigate the factors that influence their decision. Ere is a high acceptability rate of COVID-19 vaccination among AIIRD patients. Public health workers and policymakers must emphasize efficient COVID-19 vaccine acceptance messaging for all AIIRD patients. In comparison to the general population, the prevalence of COVID-19 among AIIRD patients was shown to be higher [5, 6]. Preventive lifestyle measures, such as social distancing and the use of personal protective equipment, have been proposed as effective techniques to minimize the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection in AIIRD patients [7]. Rapid development of safe and efficient COVID19 vaccinations has the potential to halt the global COVID19 epidemic
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