Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination among Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups with HIV in South Florida

Abstract

Background: Racial/ethnic minority groups with HIV in the United States are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 consequences and can significantly benefit from increased uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. This study identified factors associated with full COVID-19 vaccination among people with HIV. Setting: Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWP) in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Methods: Data were collected from 299 RWP adult clients during January–March 2022 using a cross-sectional phone survey. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All analyses were weighted to be representative of the race/ethnicity and sex distribution of clients in the RWP. Results: Eighty-four percent of participants were fully vaccinated with a primary vaccine series; stratified by race/ethnicity, the percentages were 88.9% of Hispanic, 72.0% of Black/African American, and 67.5% of Haitian participants. Fully vaccinated participants were less likely to be Black/African American than Hispanic (aOR=0.18; 95% CI=0.05-0.67) and more likely to not endorse any misconceptions about COVID-19 vaccines (aOR=8.26; 95% CI=1.38-49.64), to report encouragement to get vaccinated from sources of information (aOR=20.82; 95% CI=5.84-74.14), and to perceive that more than 50% of their social network was vaccinated (aOR=3.35; 95% CI=1.04-10.71). Experiences of healthcare discrimination, structural barriers to access vaccines, and recommendations from HIV providers were not associated with full vaccination. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of delivering accurate and positive messages about vaccines and engaging social networks to promote COVID-19 vaccination among PWH. This information can be leveraged to promote uptake of subsequent boosters and other recommended vaccines.