COVID-19 Vaccination Status among Patients with Chronic Respiratory Diseases: A Cross-sectional Study from a Tertiary Care Centre in Southern India

Abstract

Introduction: Pre-existing respiratory diseases were recognized as risk factors for COVID-19 associated morbidity and mortality. One year after the launch of vaccines against COVID-19, vaccination status in specific population was not clear. Vaccination of population at risk is crucial for COVID-19 control. Aim: To estimate the COVID-19 vaccination status and to detect the reasons for vaccine hesitancy among people with chronic respiratory diseases. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Respiratory Medicine Department at Narayana Medical College, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India, from January and February 2022. All the patients above 18 years of age, who presented with chronic respiratory diseases, were included in the study. After taking informed consent, their responses were noted using a validated questionnaire containing data like demographic data and details of vaccination against COVID-19 and reasons for refusal/hesitancy. Results: Out of total 755 subjects, 48.47% were of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), 42.38% were of asthma, 9.40% were of pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae, 5.16% were of bronchiectasis, and 1.72% were of Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). Mean age of study population was 51.37±15.30 years, 58% were male and 42% were female. Overall, 75% subjects received at least single dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Higher vaccine acceptance was noted among 31-42 years age group, males, residents of rural area, graduates, subjects with income more than one lac per month and smokers. Vaccine hesitancy was 25%. Intake of a native medicine (72.87%) was the most common cause for vaccine refusal among these subjects. Other reasons for vaccine hesitancy were, worries about sideeffects (63.3%), associated multiple co-morbidities (44.15%), lack of confidence in vaccines (15.96%) and fear of injection (14.89%). Conclusion: Vaccine acceptance against COVID-19 is nearly 75% among people with chronic respiratory diseases in India. Nonetheless, some people were still hesitant to receive vaccine. Continuous health education at every level is needed to achieve vaccination targets.