Top 5 Takeaways

1. Vaccination Coverage Among PLWDH: As of October 24, 2021, 63.5% of persons living with diagnosed HIV infection (PLWDH) in New York had received full COVID-19 vaccination.
2. Age and Gender Disparities: Vaccination coverage increased with age and was higher among men (64.8%) compared to women (60.5%) and nonbinary/nonconforming persons (58.1%).
3. Racial/Ethnic Disparities: Non-Hispanic White PLWDH had the highest vaccination coverage (70.8%), while non-Hispanic Black and American Indian or Alaska Native persons had the lowest (58.6% and 58.4%, respectively).
4. Impact of HIV Care and Viral Suppression: PLWDH who were not virally suppressed or had no evidence of HIV care in 2020 had substantially lower vaccination coverage (38.1% and 29.1%, respectively).
5. Comparison with General Population: COVID-19 vaccination coverage among PLWDH (63.5%) was lower than that of the general adult New York population (75.0%).

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Demetre Daskalakis, yzq5@cdc.gov

Suggested Citation

Tesoriero JM, Patterson W, Daskalakis D, et al. Notes from the Field: COVID-19 Vaccination Among Persons Living with Diagnosed HIV Infection — New York, October 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:182–184. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7105a4

Summary

This report examines COVID-19 vaccination coverage among persons living with diagnosed HIV infection (PLWDH) in New York as of October 24, 2021. The study found that 63.5% of PLWDH had received full vaccination, with significant disparities observed across age, gender, racial/ethnic groups, and HIV care status. Vaccination coverage among PLWDH was lower than that of the general adult population in New York.

Methods

Data from the New York State HIV surveillance registry were matched with the New York City Citywide Immunization Registry and New York State Immunization Information System using a deterministic matching algorithm. The analysis included PLWDH aged ≥18 years who were alive on December 31, 2020. Vaccination status was categorized based on receipt of a single dose of the Janssen vaccine or two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, one dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or no matching vaccine record. Booster doses were not considered.

Discussion

The study highlights significant disparities in COVID-19 vaccination coverage among PLWDH, particularly among those not virally suppressed or not in HIV care. These disparities could exacerbate the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes in these populations. The findings suggest the need for targeted interventions to increase vaccination coverage among PLWDH, including integrating COVID-19 vaccination into HIV-related services and leveraging HIV providers to promote vaccination.

Conclusion

COVID-19 vaccination coverage among PLWDH in New York is lower than that of the general population, with notable disparities across various subgroups. Addressing these gaps is crucial to mitigate the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes among PLWDH. Strategies such as incorporating vaccination into HIV care services and engaging HIV providers in vaccination efforts could help improve coverage.

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