Caniza MA, Homsi MR, Bate J, Adrizain R, Ahmed T, Alexander S, Bhattacharyya A, Copado‐Gutierrez JL, Gutierrez I, Lim YY, Morrissey L, Naidu G, Paintsil V, Radhakrishnan N, Mukkada S, Phillips R, Alexander KA, Pritchard‐Jones K. Answers to common questions about COVID-19 vaccines in children with cancer.
Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022;
69:e29985. [PMID:
36114651 PMCID:
PMC9538403 DOI:
10.1002/pbc.29985]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in 2020 evolved into a global pandemic, and COVID-19 vaccines became rapidly available, including for pediatric patients. However, questions emerged that challenged vaccine acceptance and use. We aimed to answer these questions and give recommendations applicable for use in pediatric patients with cancer by healthcare professionals and the public.
METHODS
A 12-member global COVID-19 Vaccine in Pediatric Oncology Working Group made up of physicians and nurses from all world regions met weekly from March to July 2021. We used a modified Delphi method to select the top questions. The Working Group, in four-member subgroups, answered assigned questions by providing brief recommendations, followed by a discussion of the rationale for each answer. All Working Group members voted on each recommendation using a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being complete agreement. A "pass" recommendation corresponded to an agreement ≥7.5.
RESULTS
We selected 15 questions from 173 suggested questions. Based on existing published information, we generated answers for each question as recommendations. The overall average agreement for the 24 recommendations was 9.5 (95% CI 9.4-9.6).
CONCLUSION
Top COVID-19 vaccine-related questions could be answered using available information. Reports on COVID-19 vaccination and related topics have been published at record speed, aided by available technology and the priority imposed by the pandemic; however, all efforts were made to incorporate emerging information throughout our project. Recommendations will be periodically updated on a dedicated website.
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