ABSTRACT
Background: Early data suggested a higher risk of COVID-19 in oncology patients, in particular those with co-morbidities or on systemic anticancer therapy (SACT). Immunisation strategies are likely to be critical in risk-reduction patient management. We examined patients' attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines, studying factors affecting uptake such as demographics, socioeconomics, cancer diagnoses and treatments, and previous influenza vaccination. Methods: An anonymised questionnaire was distributed among oncology patients attending for SACT from November to December 2020. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v23 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). Results: In total 115 patients completed the survey. Of these, 30 (26%) were aged > 65, 65 (56%) were female and 54 (47%) were treated for metastatic disease. Overall 68 (59%) were receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy, and 15 (13%) were receiving immunotherapy. The most common cancer was breast (29%), followed by colorectal (18%) and lung (10%). Most patients (72%) had received or were intending to receive the influenza vaccine. Of patients surveyed 19 (17%) had friends or family who had been diagnosed with COVID-19, while only 3 (2.6%) had had COVID-19. The majority (81%) were in favour of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine if it was recommended for them. A small number however (5.2%) were against receiving a vaccine. Similar numbers of patients worried (30%) and did not worry (33%) that a COVID-19 vaccine could be unsafe. Interestingly 42% stated they if a COVID-19 vaccine were to be made available they would prefer to wait rather than to get it immediately. Patients who had received or intended to receive the influenza vaccine were less likely to want to delay receiving a COVID-19 vaccine (p=0.018). Age group, education level and palliative treatment was not associated with a significant difference in vaccine acceptance. Conclusions: The majority of patients surveyed were agreeable to COVID-19 vaccination, particularly those with prior influenza vaccination. An interesting finding was that though 42% of patients would prefer not to be first to receive the vaccine the majority welcomed vaccination. This finding, especially within a cohort regarded as being "highly vulnerable” to COVID, may have implications for the vaccine program in the general population. Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many aspects of the practice of oncology around the world. COVID was first detected in Ireland on 29/2/20. Many oncology units saw dramatic changes in activity in the face of rising infection rates. We aim to assess compare pharmacy activity, day unit systemic therapy adminstration and nursing staffing levels during the pre- and COVID periods. Methods: Hospital information systems were used to retrieve numbers of patients attending, numbers and types of items dispensed by pharmacy, and available nurses to deliver the systemic therapies from March 2019 to Feb. 2021. The data was analysed to identify trends in prescribing and dispensing practices for this period. Supportive medications such as anti-emetics, bisphosphosphonates were not included. Subgroup analysis on numbers of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, monoclonal antibody drugs dispensed per month was performed. A paired t-test was used to compare means. Results: 9410 non-clinical trials and 411 clinical trials items were dispensed from March 2019 until February 2020 (pre-COVID) for 11,606 patient attendances. From March 2020 until February 2021 (COVID period), 8931 non-clinical trials and 826 clinical trials items were dispensed for 10818 patient attendances. The mean number of non-clinical trials items dispensed per month were 784 and 744 respectively, with no statistical difference being found (p=0.11). There was a doubling in the number of clinical trials agents dispensed. The mean number of nurses available to administer therapies per day was 5.7 (SD=0.78) compared to the projected 7.8 WTE (whole time equivalents) ideally required. [Formula presented] Conclusions: Despite COVID restrictions it was possible to administer comparable numbers of cancer treatments throughout the COVID period, when compared to the previous year despite modest nursing staff numbers due to the dedication and selflessness of nursing, oncologists and oncology pharmacy staff. Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.