Drivers and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination in Australians with cancer.
Christie Allan, Amelia Hyatt, Amanda Appathurai, Megan Crane, Chhay Lim, Rachel Woolstencroft, Monica A Slavin, Amanda Piper, Danielle Spence, Benjamin W Teh
Author Information
Christie Allan: Strategy and Support Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. christie.allan@cancervic.org.au.
Amelia Hyatt: Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Amanda Appathurai: National Centre for Infections in Cancer, Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Megan Crane: National Centre for Infections in Cancer, Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Chhay Lim: National Centre for Infections in Cancer, Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Rachel Woolstencroft: National Centre for Infections in Cancer, Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Monica A Slavin: Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Amanda Piper: Strategy and Support Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Danielle Spence: Strategy and Support Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Benjamin W Teh: Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
PURPOSE: To understand the drivers and barriers for COVID-19 vaccination in people with cancer in Australia. METHODS: A cross-sectional, online survey, distributed nationally following the establishment of community vaccination programs, wider availability of COVID-19 vaccines and emergence of new variants. Consisting of 21 questions, the survey was designed to determine the behavioural and social drivers of vaccination, participant demographics, underlying disease and treatment, and vaccination status. It was open from the 10th of August 2021 to the 7th of September 2021, recruiting people who had a previous history of cancer (diagnosed or treated in the past 5 years). RESULTS: A total of 1506 responses were included in the final analysis. Overall, 87.8% reported a positive attitude toward vaccination and 83.1% had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Perceived risk of COVID-19 infection (for self and others) and engagement with a trusted health professional were key drivers for vaccination, while concerns about vaccine development, safety and side effects were barriers. Concerns about vaccination mostly stemmed from a place of misinformation, rather than a broader disregard of vaccines. Just over a third (497, 34.3%) of the respondents were concerned that the vaccine would impact their cancer treatment. CONCLUSION: Overall, participants had positive attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination and thought it was safe. Findings supported the role of health professionals and cancer organisations as trusted information providers and calls for more, credible information to help people with cancer make informed decisions about the COVID-19 vaccine.
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