COVID-19 vaccination in chronic hemodialysis patients in Senegal: prevalence and side effects

Introduction: The new coronavirus, identified in late 2019 in China, is characterized by higher mortality among chronic hemodialysis patients. The vaccination is the best approach to fighting infection after barrier measures have failed. Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination among chronic hemodialysis patients in Senegal, to describe side effects and to assess the factors associated with their occurrence. Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, multicenter, descriptive, and analytical study from April 1 to July 1, 2021, including all chronic hemodialysis patients in the target centers who had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and consented to participate in the study. Results: Of 535 patients surveyed, 367 were included, representing a prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination of 68.6%. The median age of patients was 51 years, with extremes of 20 and 100 years, and a sex ratio of 1.08. The chAdOx1-S [recombinant] vaccine (Astra-Zeneca) was the most widely administered (98.4%). Side effects were noted in 52.6% of patients. They were dominated by local effects (65.6%), followed by influenza-like symptoms (60.8%). Other side effects were digestive (11.1%), neurological (9%), ENT (5.3%) and cardiovascular (4.8%). No deaths were recorded. Coagulation of the extracorporeal circuit during the four sessions following vaccination, despite anticoagulation of the circuit, was observed in one patient. Age <50, diabetes, and anticoagulation were associated with side effects in the bivariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, age <50 years was a risk factor, while anticoagulation had a protective effect. Conclusion: Vaccination against COVID-19 is well tolerated among chronic hemodialysis patients in Senegal.