COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Objectives: This survey explores how patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases perceive the COVID-19 vaccine and what factors influence their decision to get vaccinated. Methods: This anonymous phone survey employs a cross-sectional design to gather data from adult Moroccan patients (over 18 years old) diagnosed with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRD), including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthropathy, and undifferentiated CIRD. Results: A total of 321 participants responded to the questionnaire. The mean age of patients was 47.6±12 years and women represented 65.7% of the study population. The intention to vaccinate against Covid-19 was reported in 34.6% of the cases. Beliefs that Covid-19 vaccines were man-made, and that they are intended to inject microchips into recipients and that the vaccines were made to force people to get vaccinated were found in 22.7%, 3.2% and 8.7% of respondents, respectively. In univariate and multivariate analysis, the conspiracy beliefs that were associated with vaccination intention were the idea that Covid-19 vaccine was made to force people to get vaccinated (p<0.001) and to reduce world’s population (p<0.001). Conclusion: The study revealed a low vaccination intention against COVID-19 among Moroccan CIRD patients. This association between COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theories and vaccine hesitancy highlights the need for targeted awareness campaigns to combat misinformation and improve vaccine acceptance within this population.