152. COVID-19 Vaccination Perceptions in Vasculitis Patients
Creators: name: Imama Butt1
name: Van Eeden1, Charmaine
name: Tervaert1, Jan Willem Cohen
name: Clifford1, Alison
name: Yacyshyn1, Elaine
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2022
Subjects: Vasculitis
ANCA
Abstracts
Giant Cell Arthritis
MPA
GPA
EGPA
Takayasu
IgA vasculitis

description: <strong>Background</strong>: Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is essential towards ending the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous international studies have demonstrated that a significant proportion of rheumatology patients are vaccine hesitant.<sup>1</sup> Patients with rheumatologic conditions, such as vasculitis and Autoimmune/Inflammatory Syndrome induced by Adjuvants (ASIA) syndrome, may be susceptible to contracting SARS-CoV-2 and developing poor outcomes.<sup>2</sup> Vaccination is important in managing and preventing rheumatic disease exacerbation. The objectives of this study were to identify the factors implicated in vaccine-hesitant ASIA and vasculitis patients’ decision-making around COVID-19 vaccination. Results from this study may help healthcare providers engage patients in discussion around their concerns and promote vaccine uptake. <strong>Methods:</strong> Adult rheumatology patients seen at a Rheumatology Clinic in Edmonton, Canada were surveyed using an anonymous online questionnaire, between June and August 2021. The survey asked questions on demographics and medical history, vaccination and COVID-19, and informed decision-making. Survey responses were then analysed for statistical differences using chi-square analysis. <strong>Results:</strong> The COVID-19 Vaccine Perceptions Survey had a response rate of 70.9%. Of the total 231 respondents, 121 patients had been diagnosed with either ASIA (n=18) or vasculitis (Takayasu’s arteritis, GCA, ANCA-associated vasculitis, or IgA vasculitis) (n=103). The ASIA and vasculitis subgroups were not statistically different from patients with other rheumatic diseases in tergender, age, education level, or annual household income. However, compared to other rheumatology patients, ASIA and vasculitis patients had significantly shorter length of diagnosis of rheumatic disease (p&lt;0.001), more rheumatic conditions (p&lt;0.001), and had a higher proportion of patients on disability support income (p=0.01). At the time of the survey, 78.5% of patients in the ASIA and vasculitis subgroup had received one COVID-19 vaccine dose, with 11.6% of participants refusing vaccination. Compared to other responders, vaccine-hesitant ASIA and vasculitis patients were significantly more concerned about almost every aspect of available COVID-19 vaccines (e.g., safety (p &lt;0.001), effectiveness (p=0.02)), and feared that they could contract SARS-CoV-2 from a vaccine (p&lt;0.001). Similarly, the vaccine-hesitant ASIA and vasculitis subgroup was significantly less satisfied in the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., less trust in government-provided reports on vaccines (p&lt;0.001) and COVID-19 (p=0.04)), significantly less confident in the information provided by their healthcare team (p&lt;0.001), and less likely to involve them in their COVID-19 vaccine decision-making (e.g., more likely to report that healthcare providers had no role in vaccine decision-making (p&lt;0.001)). <strong>Conclusions: </strong>Vaccine-hesitant ASIA and vasculitis patients were significantly less confident in all aspects related to COVID-19 vaccines and the overall healthcare system (government and healthcare providers) involved in administration and promotion of vaccination. Healthcare teacan help dispel some of these worries by specifically addressing the vaccine-related concerns identified in this study and ensuring a more active role in supporting patients’ vaccine decision-making. <strong>Disclosures:</strong> I.N. Butt, None; C. van Eeden, None; J.W. Cohen Tervaert, None; A. Clifford, None; E. Yacyshyn, None