Uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among people who inject drugs
Abstract Background People who inject drugs (PWID) may be at elevated risk of adverse outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, data on COVID-19 vaccine uptake among PWID are scarce. This study aimed to determine COVID-19 vaccine uptake among PWID, identify factors associated with sub-optimal upt...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Harm Reduction Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00643-3 |
| _version_ | 1828731904830996480 |
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| author | Jenny Iversen Handan Wand Robert Kemp Jude Bevan Myf Briggs Kate Patten Sue Heard Lisa Maher |
| author_facet | Jenny Iversen Handan Wand Robert Kemp Jude Bevan Myf Briggs Kate Patten Sue Heard Lisa Maher |
| author_sort | Jenny Iversen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background People who inject drugs (PWID) may be at elevated risk of adverse outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, data on COVID-19 vaccine uptake among PWID are scarce. This study aimed to determine COVID-19 vaccine uptake among PWID, identify factors associated with sub-optimal uptake, and compare uptake to the general population. Methods The Australian Needle Syringe Program Survey is an annual sentinel surveillance project, comprising a self-completed questionnaire and provision of a dried blood sample for HIV and HCV testing. In 2021, respondents provided information on their COVID-19 vaccination status. Multivariate logistic regression models identified correlates of vaccine uptake. Results Among 1166 respondents, 49% had been vaccinated and in most states and territories, vaccine uptake was significantly lower than among the general population. Independent predictors of vaccine uptake were longer duration of vaccine eligibility (AOR 3.42, 95% CI 2.65, 4.41); prior SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing (AOR 2.90, 95% CI 2.22, 3.79); injection of opioids (AOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.20, 3.05); and current opioid agonist therapy (AOR 1.70, 95% CI 1.23, 2.33). Women (AOR 0.70, 95% CI 0.54, 0.92) and those who reported daily or more frequent injection (AOR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57, 1.00) were significantly less likely to be vaccinated. Conclusions In most Australian states and territories, uptake of COVID-19 vaccine among PWID lagged uptake among the general population. Increased efforts are required to ensure PWID have equitable access to vaccination. Vaccination programmes within harm reduction services and via outreach, coupled with increased support for peers to act as vaccine champions, are likely to reduce barriers and improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake in this population. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T17:53:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e818947824014f85814a8379d8643d76 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1477-7517 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T17:53:11Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Harm Reduction Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-e818947824014f85814a8379d8643d762022-12-22T03:22:26ZengBMCHarm Reduction Journal1477-75172022-06-011911910.1186/s12954-022-00643-3Uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among people who inject drugsJenny Iversen0Handan Wand1Robert Kemp2Jude Bevan3Myf Briggs4Kate Patten5Sue Heard6Lisa Maher7The Kirby Institute, UNSW SydneyThe Kirby Institute, UNSW SydneyQueensland Health DepartmentWestern Australian Department of HealthTasmanian Department of HealthNew South Wales Ministry of HealthThe Kirby Institute, UNSW SydneyThe Kirby Institute, UNSW SydneyAbstract Background People who inject drugs (PWID) may be at elevated risk of adverse outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, data on COVID-19 vaccine uptake among PWID are scarce. This study aimed to determine COVID-19 vaccine uptake among PWID, identify factors associated with sub-optimal uptake, and compare uptake to the general population. Methods The Australian Needle Syringe Program Survey is an annual sentinel surveillance project, comprising a self-completed questionnaire and provision of a dried blood sample for HIV and HCV testing. In 2021, respondents provided information on their COVID-19 vaccination status. Multivariate logistic regression models identified correlates of vaccine uptake. Results Among 1166 respondents, 49% had been vaccinated and in most states and territories, vaccine uptake was significantly lower than among the general population. Independent predictors of vaccine uptake were longer duration of vaccine eligibility (AOR 3.42, 95% CI 2.65, 4.41); prior SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing (AOR 2.90, 95% CI 2.22, 3.79); injection of opioids (AOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.20, 3.05); and current opioid agonist therapy (AOR 1.70, 95% CI 1.23, 2.33). Women (AOR 0.70, 95% CI 0.54, 0.92) and those who reported daily or more frequent injection (AOR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57, 1.00) were significantly less likely to be vaccinated. Conclusions In most Australian states and territories, uptake of COVID-19 vaccine among PWID lagged uptake among the general population. Increased efforts are required to ensure PWID have equitable access to vaccination. Vaccination programmes within harm reduction services and via outreach, coupled with increased support for peers to act as vaccine champions, are likely to reduce barriers and improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake in this population.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00643-3People who inject drugsCOVID-19SARS-CoV-2VaccineImmunisation |
| spellingShingle | Jenny Iversen Handan Wand Robert Kemp Jude Bevan Myf Briggs Kate Patten Sue Heard Lisa Maher Uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among people who inject drugs Harm Reduction Journal People who inject drugs COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Immunisation |
| title | Uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among people who inject drugs |
| title_full | Uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among people who inject drugs |
| title_fullStr | Uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among people who inject drugs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among people who inject drugs |
| title_short | Uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among people who inject drugs |
| title_sort | uptake of covid 19 vaccination among people who inject drugs |
| topic | People who inject drugs COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Immunisation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00643-3 |
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