Willingness of Patients from an Urban Safety-Net Dermatology Clinic to Receive a COVID-19 Vaccine

Abstract

Background: While recent vaccine development has initiated a return to pre-COVID "normalcy" both in the dermatology clinic and worldwide, significant challenges remain regarding the public’s willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Dermatologists often discuss vaccinations with their patients and aid them in making evidence-based medical decisions. Previous studies have looked at the U.S. population’s willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, but no studies have examined the dermatology patient population from an urban, safety-net hospital. Studies have shown that understanding the target audience is the first step towards increasing vaccine acceptance. Methods: A cross-sectional, telephone-based survey study was administered to 326 patients of an urban, safety-net hospital from July 2020 to August 2020 in order to assess willingness to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine. Results: Our survey study showed that 57.7% of patients with a recent dermatology appointment are willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and that safety concerns represent the main reason for patient hesitancy. Patients who do not regularly receive a flu vaccine, non-Caucasian patients, and those who know someone who tested positive for COVID-19 are less willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Patients with a recent dermatology appointment are more willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine than those who did not have a recent dermatology appointment. Conclusions: Our results provide dermatologists, especially those working in urban safety-net clinics, with key information about the attitude of patients toward the COVID-19 vaccine.