COVID-19 vaccination acceptance, safety and side-effects in European patients with severe asthma
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Published:2023-11
Issue:6
Volume:9
Page:00590-2023
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ISSN:2312-0541
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Container-title:ERJ Open Research
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language:en
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Short-container-title:ERJ Open Res
Author:
Bossios ApostolosORCID, Bacon Alison M.ORCID, Eger KatrienORCID, Paróczai Dóra, Schleich FlorenceORCID, Hanon ShaneORCID, Sergejeva Svetlana, Zervas EleftheriosORCID, Katsoulis Konstantinos, Aggelopoulou Christina, Kostikas KonstantinosORCID, Gaki Eleni, Rovina Nikoletta, Csoma Zsuzsanna, Grisle Ineta, Bieksiené Kristina, Palacionyte Jolita, ten Brinke Anneke, Hashimoto SimoneORCID, Mihălţan Florin, Nenasheva Natalia, Zvezdin Biljana, Čekerevac Ivan, Hromiš SanjaORCID, Ćupurdija Vojislav, Lazic Zorica, Chaudhuri Rekha, Smith Steven James, Rupani HitashaORCID, Haitchi Hans MichaelORCID, Kurukulaaratchy Ramesh, Fulton OliviaORCID, Frankemölle Betty, Howarth PeterORCID, Porsbjerg Celeste, Bel Elisabeth H., Djukanovic Ratko, Hyland Michael E.
Abstract
BackgroundVaccination is vital for achieving population immunity to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, but vaccination hesitancy presents a threat to achieving widespread immunity. Vaccine acceptance in chronic potentially immunosuppressed patients is largely unclear, especially in patients with asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the vaccination experience in people with severe asthma.MethodsQuestionnaires about vaccination beliefs (including the Vaccination Attitudes Examination (VAX) scale, a measure of vaccination hesitancy-related beliefs), vaccination side-effects, asthma control and overall safety perceptions following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination were sent to patients with severe asthma in 12 European countries between May and June 2021.Results660 participants returned completed questionnaires (87.4% response rate). Of these, 88% stated that they had been, or intended to be, vaccinated, 9.5% were undecided/hesitant and 3% had refused vaccination. Patients who hesitated or refused vaccination had more negative beliefs towards vaccination. Most patients reported mild (48.2%) or no side-effects (43.8%). Patients reporting severe side-effects (5.7%) had more negative beliefs. Most patients (88.8%) reported no change in asthma symptoms after vaccination, while 2.4% reported an improvement, 5.3% a slight deterioration and 1.2% a considerable deterioration. Almost all vaccinated (98%) patients would recommend vaccination to other severe asthma patients.ConclusionsUptake of vaccination in patients with severe asthma in Europe was high, with a small minority refusing vaccination. Beliefs predicted vaccination behaviour and side-effects. Vaccination had little impact on asthma control. Our findings in people with severe asthma support the broad message that COVID-19 vaccination is safe and well tolerated.
Funder
European Respiratory Society
Publisher
European Respiratory Society (ERS)
Subject
Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Reference42 articles.
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