A web-based survey of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and its adverse effects in Chinese postoperative patients with breast cancer: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 has been the most important strategy for preventing infection and controlling pandemics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Cancer patients have a significantly higher risk of infection with COVID-19 because of their impaired immunity. Breast cancer is the most common female malignant tumor in the world. However, studies on COVID-19 vaccination in breast cancer patients are scarce, so that more information is needed to guide vaccination in these. METHODS: We conducted a web-based questionnaire survey on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in breast cancer patient. Questionnaires completed by non-postoperative patients will be considered invalid. The main variables in the questionnaire including vaccination status, willingness to get the vaccines, candidate factors, and measures of adverse events in vaccinated individuals were used for analysis. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the associations. RESULTS: Among 947 valid online questionnaires, 341 (36.0%) accepted SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, while 606 (64.0%) did not. There were significant differences in age, current treatment, time since surgery, and symptoms of anxiety and depression between the two groups. Compared to vaccinated patients, we identified current treatment [odds ratio (OR) =0.51 for endocrine therapy; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29–0.89], time since surgery (OR =22.49 for 1–2 years; 95% CI: 12.31–41.10; OR =8.49 for 2–5 years; 95% CI: 4.98–14.46; OR =1.79 for >5 years; 95% CI: 1.11–2.89), and symptoms of depression (OR =2.48; 95% CI: 1.19–5.15) as significant factors for being unvaccinated. The overall incidence of adverse reactions was 43.1%, and the most common local and systemic adverse reactions were pain (28.4%) and fatigue (8.8%). However, about 76.6% of the unvaccinated participants were willing to be vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the general population, postoperative patients with breast cancer had a lower rate of vaccination for SARS-CoV-2. Receiving treatment, a shorter time since surgery, and symptoms of depression were associated with being unvaccinated. However, about 76.6% of the unvaccinated participants were willing to be vaccinated. Although our study showed that there were adverse effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, such as pain, fatigue, they are common adverse effects of routine vaccination. We believe that vaccination against COVID-19 is safe in postoperative patients with breast cancer.