Investigation of COVID‐19 vaccination among maintenance hemodialysis patients in Sichuan, China.

Aim: To investigate the current status of COVID‐19 vaccination in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients and its influencing factors. Methods: In total, 585 patients undergoing regular hemodialysis in Sichuan Province of China from January to March 2022 were selected to complete a questionnaire survey on their knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding COVID‐19 vaccination. Independent t tests and logistic multivariate analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors of COVID‐19 vaccination in hemodialysis patients. Results: The survey showed that 37.44% of MHD patients had been vaccinated with the COVID‐19 vaccine. Being married was associated with COVID‐19 vaccination in patients with MHD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.969 95% CI 0.870 ~ 4.453). MHD patients living in county areas have higher rates of COVID‐19 vaccination (OR = 0.572 95% CI 0.301 ~ 1.087). Family /relatives/friends who are healthcare workers are associated with COVID‐19 vaccination for MHD patients (OR = 1.840 95% CI 1.140 ~ 2.970). Other vaccination history within 5 years was a factor in COVID‐19 vaccination for MHD patients (OR = 5.592 95% CI 2.997 ~ 10.434). Attitude (OR = 0.885 95% CI 0.808 ~ 0.905), and practice (OR = 0.756 95% CI 0.697 ~ 0.819) scores on the COVID‐19 vaccination knowledge and practice questionnaire were related to the vaccination status of MHD patients. Conclusions: MHD patients had lower rates of COVID‐19 vaccination. Marital status, living environment, whether family/relatives/friends were medical workers, and the score of the COVID‐19 vaccine knowledge and practice questionnaire were the factors influencing their vaccination status. Clinical attention should be given to the adverse reactions of COVID‐19 vaccination in MHD patients to improve the awareness of primary medical staff on hemodialysis, and families and society should pay more attention to COVID‐19 vaccination in MHD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]