Factors related to acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses among patients with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases in Japan: A single-center cross-sectional survey.

Publication date: Nov 16, 2024

We studied the current state and factors associated with the acceptance or hesitancy of booster doses of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine among patients with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases (ARDs) in Japan. A single-center cross-sectional survey was conducted among outpatients with ARDs who visited the Immuno-Rheumatology Center at St. Luke’s International Hospital from 1 October to 30 November in 2023. We investigated patient characteristics, COVID-19 vaccination-related status, decision-making preferences, health-related status and independent factors associated with the acceptance or hesitancy of booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 241 patients were included in the analyses, and 198 patients (82. 2%) received booster doses while 43 (17. 8%) did not. Older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0. 43, 95% CI: 0. 19, 0. 95, P = 0. 037), having rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (aOR = 0. 41, 95% CI: 0. 19, 0. 92, P = 0. 030) and having a physician recommend receiving the vaccine (aOR = 0. 47, 95% CI: 0. 23, 0. 95, P = 0. 035) were independently associated with receiving booster doses. The main reasons for hesitancy regarding booster doses were concerns about adverse reactions and long-term safety. Our findings could help physicians counsel patients with ARDs regarding their acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to promote appropriate decision-making.

Concepts Keywords
Coronavirus Autoimmune Diseases
Covid COVID-19
Japan Japan
October Rheumatic Diseases
Outpatients Vaccination Hesitancy

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease MESH rheumatic diseases
disease MESH coronavirus disease 2019
disease MESH rheumatoid arthritis
pathway KEGG Rheumatoid arthritis
disease MESH Autoimmune Diseases

Original Article

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