# Behaviors, perceptions, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination on oncology patients in New Mexico with substantial representation of racial minorities and rural residents

## TL;DR

This study explores how oncology patients in New Mexico, including racial minorities and rural residents, perceived and responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into vaccine hesitancy and safety practices among diverse oncology patients during the pandemic.

## Key findings

- Vaccinated patients had significantly lower odds of COVID-19 infection compared to unvaccinated patients.
- Patients receiving treatment at infusion centers were less vaccine hesitant than those who were not.
- Many vaccine-hesitant patients reported that nothing would change their minds about vaccination.

## Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all sectors of life. This study helps us better understand the perceptions and practices related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the oncology patient population of New Mexico. It also explores patient knowledge regarding safe practices and perceptions regarding vaccination.

The data for this cross-sectional survey study was collected from July 20, 2021 to September 6, 2021.

There were no significant differences noted in the incidence of COVID-19 infection based on race, comorbidities, or modality of treatment regardless of vaccination status. During the first peak of COVID-19 (Nov 2020 - Jan 2021), most participants followed strict safety precautions (54.2 %), fewer maintained these practices in the months prior to data collection (32.5 %) (Jul 2021 – Aug 2021). Among the participants who had declined vaccination against COVID-19, there were no significant differences based on race, comorbidities or treatment. Those oncology patients receiving treatments at the infusion center were much less vaccine hesitant (8.3 %) compared to those who were not (18.3 %). The odds of COVID-19 infection among patients that were vaccinated was 0.27 times lower than that of unvaccinated patients (95 % CI, 0.12 to 0.63; p 0.001). Vaccine-hesitant respondents reported long-term safety data (n = 11, 24.4 %) and physician recommendations (n = 10, 22.2 %) were likely to change their minds, but the most common response was that “nothing” would change their mind (n = 16, 35.6 %).

The pandemic is a dynamic landscape and physicians need to keep up to date with current guidelines and continue to have conversations with patients regarding strict safety precautions. Having an open discussion with patients regarding vaccine recommendations may help with decreasing vaccine hesitancy.