Relationship between COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and willingness to pay for the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine of oncology patients in Taizhou, China.

OBJECTIVE: This population-based study aimed to determine the hesitancy and willingness to pay (WTP) for the booster dose of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine among patients with cancer in Taizhou, China. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A self-administered online questionnaire was administered to patients with cancer in Taizhou, China. The chi-square test, binary logistic regression model were used to evaluate the WTP for the booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The minimum sample size was 218, determined by G*Power software (latest ver. 3.1.9.7). A total of 354 patients received the survey, and 256 (72.3%) patients responded. RESULTS: Overall, 69.9% (179/256) of respondents were willing to pay for the booster dose, and 78.8% (141/179) of these patients were willing to pay 1-99 CNY. Furthermore, 50.4% (129/256) of respondents were hesitant to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Being unhesitant was significantly associated with WTP for the booster dose (aOR: 3.040; 95% CI: 1.669-5.540). CONCLUSION: Hesitant patients with cancer had a lower WTP for the booster dose against COVID-19 than non-hesitant participants. These results imply that further health education programmes are essential to decrease the hesitancy of patients with cancer and enhance booster dose vaccination rates for public health improvements.KEY MESSAGESOur research showed that 70% of patients with cancer are willing to pay for the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and most are willing to pay less than 100 CNY, and this result reflects the economic value and affordability of the third dose of vaccination.COVID-19 vaccine-hesitant patients with cancer had a lower willingness to pay for a booster dose against COVID-19 than non-hesitant participants and few patients are still unwilling to pay among patients do not hesitate to receive the third dose.Therefore, promoting willingness to pay among oncology patients and addressing vaccine hesitancy remains key.

The Effect of a Booster Dose mRNA Vaccine on COVID-19 Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients after Inactivated or Viral Vector Vaccine Immunization.

The mortality rate after novel coronavirus infection, which causes severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), is much higher in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) compared to the general population. Seroconversion after vaccination is also lower, and breakthrough infection is much higher. Many studies reported seroconversion rate after a booster (third) dose of vaccine but clinical outcomes received less attention. Here, we reported the impact of an mRNA vaccine booster dose on clinical outcomes of KTRs with SARS-CoV-2 infection. A total of 183 KTRs with SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified. Of 183 KTRs, 146 KTRs had sufficient data for analysis and were included in this study. Forty-eight patients (32.9%) received zero to 1 doses of vaccine (Group 1), thirty-one (21.2%) received two doses (Group 2), and sixty-seven (45.9%) received a booster dose (Group 3). Pneumonia developed in 50%, 23%, and 10% in Group 1, 2, and 3 (p < 0.001). Hospital admission requirement was 81%, 48%, and 12% (p < 0.001). Mortality rate was 26%, 3%, and 3% (p = 0.001). A multivariate analysis showed that only diabetes adversely affects mortality while the booster dose of the vaccine significantly reduced mortality. The booster dose of the vaccine is strongly recommended in all KTRs especially those with diabetes. Our study also suggested the timing of the booster dose vaccine to be administered within 4 months after the second dose.