COVID-19 – Auswirkung auf das Verhalten von Tumorpatienten

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) puts tumor patients at risk due to the possibility of a severe disease course.

This study deals with the vaccination and safety behavior of tumor patients with regard to COVID-19.

From January to March 2022, at three medical care centers in Lower Bavaria, all patients were invited to take part in a COVID-19 survey. A questionnaire focusing on protective measures, vaccinations, and perceived safety was developed for this purpose. The statistical analysis was carried out descriptively and using Fisher’s exact test and multivariable logistic regression models.

A total of 1228 questionnaires were evaluated. Of the patients, 6% were not vaccinated. The majority of vaccinated patients assume that they are protected against a severe course of the disease or completely protected by the vaccination. Safety measures were handled much more strictly outside the family than within. Safety precautions in oncology practices were welcomed.

Tumor patients show a high need for safety with regard to COVID-19 infection, which is reflected in compliance with protective measures and acceptance of safety precautions. However, both are adhered to to a much lesser extent in the patient’s home environment, meaning that the education and vaccination of relatives is of great importance. Nonvaccinated tumor patients cited fear of side effects (64%) and, in particular, fear of a worsening of their disease (51%) as reasons for refusing vaccination, meaning that this patient group should be given particularly intensive information about vaccination and safety measures.