COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and acceptance in patients with multiple myeloma: A national multicenter survey in China
Objective: To investigate factors influencing vaccine hesitancy and its effects on SARS-CoV-2 infection in multiple myeloma (MM) patients during the Omicron BA.4/5 subvariant outbreak. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in mainland China from December 26, 2022, to April 20, 2023. An e...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/apjtm.apjtm_398_24 |
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| Summary: | Objective:
To investigate factors influencing vaccine hesitancy and its effects on SARS-CoV-2 infection in multiple myeloma (MM) patients during the Omicron BA.4/5 subvariant outbreak.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted in mainland China from December 26, 2022, to April 20, 2023. An expert-developed anonymous online questionnaire was distributed via WeChat mini-program to several groups of 500 MM patients, each comprising of 500 patients. The questionnaire covered demographic characteristics, MM medical attributes, COVID-19 vaccine status, and clinical manifestations of COVID-19. Data were analyzed to assess the impact of vaccination on COVID-19 infection rates and the disease severity among MM patients.
Results:
Among 508 valid responses from 30 provinces, only 34.1% (n=173) of MM patients reported receiving COVID-19 vaccination, and the proportions were lower among patients who had undergone autologous stem cell transplantation (20.2% vs. 48.4%, P<0.001). Vaccine hesitancy was primarily attributed to physician recommendations (52.0%), conflicts with MM treatment (37.8%), and concerns about MM progression (31.3%). Hospitalization due to severe SARS-CoV-2 infections was significantly reduced in the vaccinated group (4.8% vs. 12.3%, P=0.038).
Conclusions:
The lower infection rate in MM patients may be attributed to stringent quarantine measures and self-imposed social restrictions. While vaccination did not directly correlate with fewer SARS-CoV-2 infections, it did afford protection to vulnerable populations. Clinicians are encouraged to recommend vaccines to MM patients to mitigate severe infections and associated mortality during recurrent COVID-19 waves. |
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| ISSN: | 2352-4146 |