Sara Hustek
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
UROP Fellowship: CCSFP, Macomb Community College
Research Mentor(s): Beth Wallace, MD, MSc and Yomei Shaw, PhD
Research Mentor Institution/Department: Michigan Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine – Rheumatology
Presentation Date: Wednesday, August 4th
Session: Session 2 (4pm-4:50pm EDT)
Breakout Room: Room 3
Presenter: 5
Abstract
Background: Little is known about how the COVID-19 vaccine affects people with rheumatic diseases. Though rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are relatively common, patients with RMDs were not included in randomized controlled trials for COVID-19 vaccines. People that live with rheumatic conditions must consider how to handle immunomodulatory medications during the vaccine cycle and the tradeoffs they may be making between their condition, immune response, and possible side effects. We aim to describe the factors considered by this population when deciding to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Methods: Participants in the FORWARD registry were invited to complete monthly questionnaires on COVID-19 vaccination between March and June 2021. Optional free response comments were coded, and discrepancies were resolved by three authors using Microsoft Excel. We performed a qualitative analysis by analyzing relevant comments and finding common trends relating to reasons for receiving or delaying the vaccine.
Results: Of 14704 invited participants, 4265 responded and 848 left a comment (1168 total comments). Of these general comments, 333 were related to the vaccine. From our thematic analysis, we found there to be three groups of people: those who want the vaccine, those hesitant about receiving the vaccine, and those who do not want the vaccine. There are varying considerations in each group with the most common for those who want the vaccine being eagerness to restart immunomodulatory medications, those who are hesitant about the vaccine being wary of holding medications, and individuals who do not want the vaccine exhibiting negative attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination.
Conclusion: Beliefs that the COVID-19 vaccine is too experimental keeps some RMD patients from wanting to receive it. From our data, it appears many that choose not to get vaccinated would like to; however, they may not feel comfortable that it is safe for them. More data is needed on how the COVID-19 vaccine affects this population.
Authors: Sara A. Hustek, Nina Nguyen, Makenzie P. Starlin, Kristin Wipfler, Kaleb Michaud, Beth I. Wallace, Yomei Shaw
Research Method: Survey Research
