Acceptability of COVID-19 Vaccines among Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis: An Assessment from a Healthcare Center in Karachi

Dialysis patients are among the high-risk group to contract COVID-19 necessitating vaccination to decrease mortality and morbidity. We aimed to evaluate the COVID-19 vaccination status of dialysis patients in our institute (NIKUD). Regular hemodialysis patients (n=38) from Sept’21 to Jan’22 were included after taking written consent. The majority (78%) of patients were fully vaccinated and none was partially vaccinated. Sinopharm (36.6%) was the most frequent vaccine received, followed by Moderna (26%). Among vaccinated patients' families, the complete vaccination rate was (68%) for the COVID-19 vaccine as compared (0%) for the complete vaccination of family members in the unvaccinated group. Non-belief in the vaccine (75%) along with no known case of COVID-19 disease to self or family (100%) were the most common possible reasons for not getting vaccinated. Perceived risk of COVID-19 to themselves as non-dangerous was a concerning belief in the majority (44%) (17) dialysis patients. Approximately 25% of patients did not receive any COVID-19 vaccine including inadequate vaccination among their families. Evidence-Based counseling and education are advised to alleviate any concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccines.