Australian Cancer and COVID-19 Vaccine Survey

Using the patient voice to drive cancer support initiatives and advocacy efforts during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Cancer Council Victoria, in partnership with Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre’s National Centre for Infections in Cancer, recently conducted a national survey to better understand the attitudes and experiences of people affected by cancer to the COVID-19 vaccine.

More than 1,500 people diagnosed or treated for cancer in the past five years shared their experiences in the survey, with the results used to develop tailored information, communications, and strategies to help people with cancer access the vaccine appropriately.

Developing the survey

People with cancer who contract COVID-19 are twice as likely to have severe symptoms and require hospital treatment, and vaccination is highly recommended for most patients.

Despite hearing from our nurses and clinicians that people affected by cancer may face challenges or have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, little published data was available to understand whether people diagnosed or treated for cancer in Australia in the past 5 years had concerns about getting vaccinated. This led to the development of our national cancer and COVID-19 survey.

The survey was developed collaboratively, with input from community representatives and staff from cancer advocacy and support organisations. The questions were informed by interim guidance from the World Health Organisation about the social and behavioural drivers of vaccination, and research by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

Participants aged 18 years and over were invited to complete the online survey, which was open for one month between 10 August 2021 and 7 September 2021.

 Demographics of survey responses

Most of the responses we received to the survey were from women (~82%), people that completed a university degree (~49%), people who speak English as a first language (~94%) and people aged 25 to 59 (~56%). A small proportion of respondents identified as Aboriginal.

Just over 40% were still receiving cancer treatment when they completed the survey and most (~58%) had early-stage cancer. The most common cancer reported was breast (~51%), followed by haematological cancers (~15%).

Preliminary results

Most people had a positive attitude towards vaccination. ~83% had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and a further ~5% had booked their first appointment.

People who had received or intend to receive a COVID-19 vaccine told us it was primarily to protect themselves, their loved ones, and the community. This was supported by an understanding, and information, that vaccination is important.

Only ~12% of people that responded to our survey had not received or booked a COVID-19 vaccine, with an even smaller proportion stating they probably or definitely won’t get vaccinated. These people reported greater concerns about potential safety and long-term side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine development. They also reported greater information needs than people who had received or booked a COVID-19 vaccine.

Just under half (~49%) of all people that responded to the survey said they had enough information about the COVID-19 vaccine and their cancer. People wanted information from trusted sources, including cancer specialists, general practitioners, and cancer organisations.

Further analysis of the data is ongoing to better understand people’s preferences for receiving information and support in relation to the COVID-19 vaccines.

A more detailed publication on the survey findings will be available shortly.

Get FACTsinated campaign

The results of our cancer and COVID-19 survey represent only a small cohort of people affected by cancer, and more still needs to be done to ensure all Victorians understand where to access accurate information.

To direct people to reliable and credible resources, Cancer Council Victoria has launched a new campaign entitled ‘Get FACTsinated’, encouraging people to ‘get the facts on all things cancer and COVID-19′.

It includes commonly asked questions that are updated as new information and advice is released, such as the recent decision to provide people who are immunocompromised with a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The campaign also explains the increased risk of COVID-19 for people with cancer, addresses vaccine and general COVID misinformation and encourages people to contact our cancer nurses on 13 11 20 for information and support.

You can read more here, and view our digital toolkit that was developed as part of this campaign.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please email Katherine Lane, Head of Cancer Information and Support Services – Cancer Council Victoria.