Assessment of COVID-19 vaccine attitude in people with multiple sclerosis, its correlation with demographic factors, and fear of coronavirus: A cross-sectional survey

Mohammad Reza Fattahi; Arad Iranmehr; Roghayyeh Saeedi; Mohammad Ali Sahraian; Rozita Doosti; Abdorreza Naser Moghadasi

doi:10.18502/cjn.v21i4.11720

Mohammad Reza Fattahi Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Arad Iranmehr Neurological Surgery Ward, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Roghayyeh Saeedi Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Ali Sahraian Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Rozita Doosti Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abdorreza Naser Moghadasi Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/cjn.v21i4.11720

Keywords: COVID-19; Multiple Sclerosis; Fear; Attitude; Vaccine; Trust

Abstract

Background: Despite special global considerations which have been made to prioritize vaccination of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), some are reluctant to get vaccinated. This study was aimed to evaluate the attitude toward coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccine and its probable correlations.

Methods: Considering the study objectives, two valid questionnaires including Fear of COVID-19 Scale
(FCV-19S) and attitude questionnaires were administered pre and post COVID-19 vaccination among people with MS.

Results: The questionnaires were administered among 349 people with MS pre and post vaccination. The mean age of participants was 38.78 ± 8.68 (range: 19 to 64) years. They all received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine (Sinopharm). Although about 90% of participants felt satisfied after getting vaccinated and respected the preventive actions like social distancing and wearing face mask after vaccination, about 40% of them did not recommend vaccination to other patients. None of the demographic data was predictor of attitude score in COVID-19 vaccine and the only effective factor regarding fear of COVID-19 among people with MS was gender (P = 0.001). the more he/she felt satisfied after vaccination. Those patients who had got the influenza vaccine last year felt more satisfied with the vaccine and accepted the COVID-19 vaccine easier than others.

Conclusion: This study revealed that there was an inverse correlation between fear of coronavirus and less trust in the vaccine in patients with MS. However, it should be mentioned that the patients felt more satisfied after COVID-19 vaccination.