A survey to evaluate knowledge, perceptions and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccinations among rheumatologists in Germany

Abstract

The objective is to evaluate the attitude of rheumatologists regarding the use of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs). From February 2nd until March 15th, 2021, rheumatologists from Germany were asked to participate anonymously in a survey addressing their attitude with respect to COVID-19 vaccinations of IRD patients. The survey was completed by 214 participants (107 men, 103 women, 4 unspecified). More than half of the physicians (61%) were working in rheumatologic private practices and 62% had more than 20 years of experience in rheumatology. 90% reported to be at least confidential in handling issues of COVID-19 vaccination and 99% would recommend COVID-19 vaccination for IRD patients. The majority would not recommend to stop or reduce immunomodulatory drugs for vaccination except for rituximab. More than 70% would prefer vaccination with a mRNA vaccine for their IRD patients. This study shows that almost all rheumatologists in Germany support the COVID-19 vaccination for their IRD patients without reducing or terminating the actual immunomodulatory medication to potentially improve the response to the vaccine. This attitude is in accordance with the current recommendations of the German Society of Rheumatology regarding COVID-19 vaccination in IRD patients, and indicates that these have been well accepted and work in everyday clinical practice.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccines; Glucocorticoids; Immunmodulatory drugs; Inflammatory rheumatic diseases; Rituximab.