Seasonal Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination Rates Among Patients with Cancer in COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates were not in the expected levels before the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic among patients with cancer. However, pandemic conditions may have changed the attitude of patients. In this study, we aimed to assess current influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates of patients with cancer and changing attitudes toward vaccination in these patients. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary cancer center in Turkey. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of 20 items was used. Results: A total of 309 patients completed the questionnaires. Most patients did not get a flu shot and pneumococcal vaccine before the COVID-19 pandemic (74.1% for flu shot and 84.1% for pneumococcal vaccine). Moreover, 144 patients (46.6%) stated that they were considering to get a flu shot, and 133 (43%) were considering to get a pneumococcal vaccine because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 35 patients (11.3%) got a flu shot, and 56 (18.1%) got a pneumococcal vaccine during the COVID-19 pan-demic. Conclusion: Vaccination rates for seasonal influenza and pneumococcal infections were low in patients with cancer before the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the number of patients who want to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza and pneumococcal infections increased in the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of patients vaccinated with these vaccines is still low. © 2021 by Turkish Society of Medical Oncology.