Vaccine hesitancy in patients presenting to a specialized allergy center: clinical relevant sensitizations, impact on mental health and vaccination rates.

INTRODUCTION

The COVID vaccination program with new types of vaccinations and early reports of allergic reactions to vaccines led to vaccination hesitancy in patients with allergies. In this study, we aimed to characterize patients who present at an allergy center with specific questions regarding risk assessment to COVID vaccines in comparison to regular allergy center patients.

METHODS

A total of 50 patient charts of patients with risk assessment for COVID vaccination (COV group) and 50 regular allergy center patients (ALL group) were assessed for documented allergies, comorbidities, total IgE, and tryptase levels and hospital anxiety and depression score (HADS). Skin prick testing (SPT) with additives of COVID vaccines [polyethylene glycol (PEG), polysorbate] were performed if indicated based on medical history.

RESULTS

Patients who presented for examination prior to a possible COVID vaccination were mostly female (86%) and had more frequently reported allergic reactions to drugs in the past, but only in a minor group (28%) were the reactions qualified as anaphylaxis. The group COV patients scored significantly higher in the HADS for anxiety and depression than the regular group ALL patients. The same trend was observed when data were corrected for gender. It is worth noting that patients without any prior contact to COVID vaccines scored comparable regarding anxiety to patients with prior reaction to COVID vaccinations, but significantly higher in the depression score. In 19 patients (38%) who met the indications for SPT for the suspicious contents PEG and Polysorbate 80, the tests did not show a positive result. Furthermore, 84% of patients underwent the prick test, but only 15% of patients who received consultation alone agreed to vaccination at our center. No vaccination-related event was documented in these patients.

DISCUSSION

In conclusion, vaccination hesitancy was frequently elicited by negative experiences with drugs and putative drug allergies. Female patients predominate in this patient group, and the anxiety and depression scores were significantly elevated. Allergological workup, including SPT, led to a high rate of subsequent vaccinations, whereas a discussion with the patients about risks and individualized advice for vaccination without testing only rarely resulted in documented vaccinations.