Clinical outcomes of Omicron infection and vaccine acceptance among pediatric liver transplant recipients: insights from a cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES

Our study aims to explore the clinical characteristics of Omicron infection in pediatric liver transplant recipients (PLTRs), after the national COVID-19 outbreak. Additionally, we will investigate changes in vaccine coverage and parental attitudes towards vaccinating their children after this current outbreak.

METHODS

We conducted a web-based questionnaire survey to gather information on Omicron infection, vaccination status, and guardian attitude among PLTRs. Besides, utilized valid questionnaire and long-term follow-up information processing techniques, and performed statistical analysis of relevant parameters.

RESULTS

528 valid questionnaires were collected, among which, 251 responses replied Omicron infection status. The Omicron infection rate in Chinese PLTRs was 56.2% (141/251), similar to the report in the normal population (around 60%). 99.3% of infected PLTRs presented mild symptoms, mostly with fever (78.0%), followed by Cough (76.6%), with a mean RTPCR conversion time of 7 days; the overall PLTRs' vaccination rate in this study was 13.3%, similar to that of our previous study (9.4%). Besides, we found no significant differences of either infection rate or clinical symptoms between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Moreover, the study showed 61.6% of guardians supported COVID-19 inoculation despite the outbreak of Omicron status.

CONCLUSIONS

The symptoms of Omicron infection in Chinese PLTRs were relatively mild, vaccine immunization had a limited effect on PLTRs' defense against Omicron infection, besides, their guardians supported the inoculation policy with a caution.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.chictr.org.cn , identifier ChiCTR2200055968.