• Hannah Wallace and Peter F Mount.
• Department of Nephrology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
• Intern Med J. 2022 Sep 1; 52 (9): 1488-1494.

BackgroundThere is a lack of data on how to best optimise uptake of COVID-19 vaccination in dialysis patients.AimTo understand attitudes and beliefs about COVID-19 and vaccination uptake in dialysis patients.MethodsA single-centre, cross-sectional study involving a clinical audit and an anonymous survey of adult maintenance dialysis patients was conducted.ResultsThe vaccination uptake during the study period was 77.5% at least single dose, compared with 70% in Victoria during the same period. Participants were more likely to be vaccinated if they believed COVID-19 was a serious problem that is worse for people on dialysis. Those unvaccinated were more likely to overestimate the risk of vaccine complications and less likely to have the annual influenza vaccine. Despite over 80% of participants agreeing that they would have the vaccine if recommended by their nephrologist, less than 40% reported receiving information from this source. A predominant reason for vaccine hesitancy was concern regarding vaccine safety. Over 60% of those who were unvaccinated were still open to the vaccine, indicating a significant opportunity to improve vaccination rates through medical consultation and direction.ConclusionsVaccine hesitancy for COVID-19 in dialysis patients associates with less informed health beliefs, both about the disease and the risks of vaccination. Patients are more likely to get vaccinated if it is recommended by their nephrologist. Clinicians caring for dialysis patients have a key role in providing high-quality education and advice, representing an urgent opportunity for improvement in vaccination uptake against COVID-19.© 2021 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

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