Abstract
Background: Clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccination provide evidence of side effects in the placebo group, consistent with some side effects reporting being a nocebo effect (Amanzio M, et al. Lancet Reg Health Eur 2022;12:100253)
Aim: To investigate whether side effects of COVID-19 vaccination are associated with negative beliefs about vaccination.
Methods: European patients with severe asthma (SHARP network) completed a questionnaire (May-June 2021) about their vaccination status, the Vaccination Attitudes EXamination (VAX) Scale, a measure of vaccination hesitancy related to four different types of belief, and if vaccinated whether they experienced side effects (none, mild, severe).
Results: 660 patients from 12 European countries participated, of whom 497 had at least a first vaccination and also completed the VAX questions and side effects. Of these patients, those reporting severe side effects (5.7%) compared to those with mild (48.2%) or no side effects (43.8%) had significantly (p = 0.001, ANOVA) more mistrust of vaccine efficacy, more concerns about future effects and more concerns about profiteering but not significantly more preference for natural immunity (Fig 1).
Conclusions: People with severe asthma who have negative beliefs about vaccination are more likely to report severe side effects to COVID-19 vaccination. Consistent with the nocebo effect, negative beliefs create negative expectations and side effects.
Fig 1.
Footnotes
Cite this article as Eur Respir J 2022; 60: Suppl. 66, 1085.
This article was presented at the 2022 ERS International Congress, in session “-”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2022
