Acceptance of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines by liver transplant recipients and candidates

Abstract

Guidelines recommend vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in transplant recipients, candidates, and their household contacts. However, little is known about the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines in these groups.

In March 2021, we surveyed 826 liver transplant recipients, candidates, and their household contacts to determine acceptance rates and factors influencing the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine; 341 patients (40%) and 237 household contacts (28%) returned the questionnaire. Ninety percent of patients returning the survey reported they were willing to receive the vaccine within the next 6 months or had already started vaccination. Only 2% of patients and 4% of household contacts reported refusing the vaccine, and 8% of patients and 9% of household contacts wanted to postpone vaccination because of concerns about side effects. Having received the influenza vaccine in the last 2 seasons was the strongest indicator of acceptance to receive the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine within 6 months (odds ratio 5.11; 95% confidence interval 2.43–10.74; p < 0.001). Thirty-two percent of responding patients reported fear of side effects as a reason for having refused vaccination before.

Although the acceptance of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine was particularly high among German liver transplant recipients, candidates, and household contacts in this survey, transplant physicians are encouraged to discuss safety concerns with patients who have refused the seasonal influenza vaccine in the past.

Zusammenfassung

Aktuelle Leitlinien empfehlen die Impfung gegen SARS-CoV-2 bei Patienten nach einer Organtransplantation, Patienten auf Wartelisten und bei Haushaltskontakten. Allerdings ist bislang wenig über die Akzeptanz dieser Impfung bei den Betroffenen bekannt.

Wir haben daher im März 2021 in zwei deutschen Transplantationszentren an 826 Patienten nach Lebertransplantation, auf der Warteliste für eine Lebertransplantation und ihre Angehörige einen Fragebogen versandt, um die Akzeptanz der Impfung und Faktoren, die diese beeinflussen, zu erfragen. Es wurden 341 Fragebögen von Patienten (40%) und 237 von Angehörigen (28%) beantwortet. 90% der Patienten, die den Fragebogen beantwortet haben, gaben an, dass sie sich gegen SARS-CoV-2 innerhalb von 6 Monaten impfen lassen möchten oder bereits geimpft sind. Lediglich 2% der Patienten und 4% der Angehörigen gaben an, keine Impfung zu wollen, weitere 8 bzw. 9% wollen die Impfung aus Angst vor Nebenwirkungen verschieben. Der stärkste prädiktive Faktor für die Bereitschaft zur SARS-CoV-2 Impfung war eine durchgeführte Influenza-Impfung innerhalb der letzten 2 Jahre (OR 5,11, 95% Konfidenzintervall 2,43–10,74; p<0,001). Der Hauptgrund für die Ablehnung einer Influenza-Impfung war bei 32% der Patienten ohne Impfung die Angst vor Nebenwirkungen.

Auch wenn die Akzeptanz der SARS-CoV-2-Impfung unter den Befragten sehr hoch war, so sollten durch die Ärzte in den Transplantationszentren die Ängste vor Nebenwirkungen aktiv angesprochen und diskutiert werden, insbesondere bei Patienten, die bislang auch eine Influenza-Impfung abgelehnt haben.

Schlüsselwörter

LTX - Impfung - SARS-CoV-2 - COVID-19 - Influenza

Keywords

LTX - vaccination - SARS-CoV-2 - COVID-19 - influenza

Publication History

Received: 04 May 2021

Accepted after revision: 14 September 2021

Article published online:
20 October 2021

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