Study finds lower COVID-19 vaccination rates among people living with HIV

STATEN ISLAND, NY — People living with diagnosed HIV infection in New York were less likely to be vaccinated against COVID-19 than the rest of the general population, according to a new collaborative study between the city and state health departments, underscoring disparities in vaccine uptake.

The research,, published published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, found vaccination coverage among people living with diagnosed HIV was around 63.5% by Oct. 24, 2021 — months after the high-priority group was eligible to be vaccinated. That total paled in comparison to the 75% of adult New Yorkers who had been vaccinated by that time.

The findings signal a concerning healthcare lapse for a vulnerable population, with a lack of HIV care being associated with a lack of COVID-19 vaccination.

“People living with HIV have long faced barriers in meeting their health care needs, and our study shows this disadvantage extends to COVID-19 vaccination,” said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the CDC to highlight this gap in care. ”

While differences in demographics between the diagnosed HIV population and the rest of the public might explain the disparity between vaccination coverage, scientists explained, the study found coverage was lower than 75% for every demographic group of people living with diagnosed HIV.

Using data from the New York State HIV Surveillance Registry and the city’s immunization registry, researchers analyzed vaccination rates among various demographics and found members of the Black non-Hispanic community had the lowest vaccination levels, standing at just under 59%.

Black non-Hispanics and Hispanics historically make up the majority of the diagnosed HIV population in New York and are also more likely to both contract COVID-19 due to a variety of socioeconomic factors and also experience more serious outcomes than white people.

The resulting vaccination gaps, the study said, likely contribute to disparities in COVID-19 outcomes within these groups.

“Vaccination remains the best tool we have to keep New Yorkers safe and healthy,” said New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi. “We know that people living with HIV are at higher risk for severe outcomes and we must continue to do all we can to prevent needless suffering and death. ”

People living with an HIV diagnosis who did not receive care in 2020 had significantly lower vaccination rates compared to those who did receive care. Just over 29% of people who did not receive treatment were vaccinated while almost 70% who did were reported as vaccinated.

Because of the increased likelihood that people living with HIV will experience severe COVID-19 outcomes, researchers said it was “essential to address the large disparity in COVID-19 vaccination coverage by HIV care and viral suppression status, in addition to ensuring access to booster doses. ”

There were approximately 2,500 people reportedly living with HIV on Staten Island by the end of 2020, according to city data..

The city and state health departments said they encourage community partners and other agency to promote COVID-19 vaccination among the HIV community.

Additionally, the CDC said incorporating COVID-19 vaccination into existing HIV care regiments could improve vaccination rates. Similarly, utilizing providers in communities of color and other groups that have shown low vaccine uptake could help mitigate racial, ethnic and gender-based disparities in coverage. , the agency said.