The COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Hemodialysis Patients in Togo

Abstract

Introduction: Wide adoption of vaccination is the key to successfully control the spread of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Objective: To evaluate the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines and associated factors in hemodialysis patients in Lomé. Patients and Method: Cross-sectional study was conducted from August 1 to 31, 2021 in hemodialysis patients at the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital to obtain their opinion on the anti-COVID-19 vaccination. Results: One hundred and twenty-three patients on regular hemodialysis were interviewed; their mean age was 45 years [37 - 55.5 years]. The average number of years patients were on dialysis was 3 years [2 - 5 years]. The general opinion on vaccination was mostly unfavorable (59.3%). Reasons given included: doubts about the quality of the vaccine (49.6%), fear of side effects (51.2%), alarming messages on social networks (36.5%) and doubts about the efficacy of the vaccines (33.3%). Only half of the patients in favor of vaccination were already vaccinated at the time of the survey. The main motivations for getting vaccinated were dominated by: fear of developing a severe form of COVID-19 if infected (32.5%), frailty due to age (19.5%) and medical history (15.4%). Social networks (72.3%), television (60.1%), family and friends (55.2%) were the main sources of information for patients about COVID-19 vaccination. Conclusion: Hemodialysis patients are mostly septic to anti-COVID-19 vaccination.