Top 5 Takeaways

1. Provider Recommendations Increase Vaccination Rates: Adults who received a COVID-19 vaccination recommendation from a health care provider were more likely to have been vaccinated (77.6%) compared to those who did not receive a recommendation (61.9%).
2. Positive Attitudes Towards Vaccination: Those who received a provider recommendation were more likely to be concerned about COVID-19, believe in the importance and safety of the vaccines, and perceive that their family and friends had been vaccinated.
3. Demographic Variations: Provider recommendations were more common among older adults, those with higher education and income, insured individuals, essential health care workers, and those with comorbidities.
4. Regional Differences: The prevalence of provider recommendations varied by region, with the highest in HHS Region 2 (42.7%) and the lowest in HHS Region 10 (34.3%).
5. Jurisdiction-Level Correlation: Higher prevalence of provider recommendations at the jurisdiction level was positively associated with higher COVID-19 vaccination coverage.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Kimberly H. Nguyen, knguyen2@cdc.gov

Suggested Citation

Nguyen KH, Yankey D, Lu P, et al. Report of Health Care Provider Recommendation for COVID-19 Vaccination Among Adults, by Recipient COVID-19 Vaccination Status and Attitudes — United States, April–September 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1723–1730. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7050a1

Summary

This report highlights the significant impact of health care provider recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination rates among adults in the United States from April to September 2021. It was found that adults who received a provider recommendation were more likely to get vaccinated and have positive attitudes towards the vaccine. The prevalence of provider recommendations increased over the study period and was associated with higher vaccination coverage at the jurisdiction level.

Methods

The study used data from the National Immunization Survey-Adult COVID Module (NIS-ACM), a nationally representative cellular telephone survey of U.S. adults aged ≥18 years. Data were collected over five periods from April 22 to September 25, 2021. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between provider recommendations, vaccination status, and attitudes towards vaccination, adjusting for various sociodemographic factors.

Discussion

The findings underscore the importance of health care provider recommendations in increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates and fostering positive attitudes towards the vaccine. Provider recommendations were particularly impactful among younger adults, racial/ethnic minorities, and rural residents, who traditionally have lower vaccination coverage. The study also noted regional variations in the prevalence of provider recommendations and their correlation with vaccination coverage.

Conclusion

Health care providers play a crucial role in promoting COVID-19 vaccination. Empowering providers to recommend vaccines at every patient visit and reducing barriers to health care access can enhance vaccine confidence and coverage, especially among underserved populations. Continued efforts to support providers in these roles are essential for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.

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