COVID-19 vaccine deliberation among people who inject drugs

Cioffi, Camille C.; Kosty, Derek; Nachbar, Sarah; Capron, Christopher G.; Mauricio, Anne M.; Tavalire, Hannah F.

doi:10.1016/j.dadr.2022.100046

Cited by 23 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 25 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In this prospective study of PWID living in Tijuana during the COVID-19 epidemic, we found that attending a temporary pop-up vaccine clinic was independently associated with greater uptake of COVID-19 vaccination. Before this clinic was established, <10% of PWID in our study had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose ( 17 ), which is similar to a study of PWID in Oregon, USA ( 32 ). By the end of the 10 months follow-up period, the proportion of participants who had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose had increased to 39.5%.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

COVID-19 vaccine uptake among people who inject drugs in Tijuana Mexico

Vera

Munoz

Artamónova

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background:SARS-CoV-2 prevalence is elevated among people who inject drugs (PWID). In Tijuana, Mexico, COVID-19 vaccines became available to the general population in June 2021, but uptake among PWID was <10%. We studied COVID-19 vaccine uptake among PWID in Tijuana following implementation of a pop-up vaccination clinic.MethodsBeginning in October, 2020, PWID in Tijuana aged ≥18 years were enrolled into a longitudinal cohort study. At baseline and semi-annually, participants underwent interviewer-administered interviews on health behaviors and COVID-19 exposures through April 5, 2022. From June 21—September 20, 2021, staff referred PWID to a temporary COVID-19 vaccine pop-up clinic that was coincidentally established near the study office. Participants attending the clinic completed a short interview on barriers to vaccination and were offered facilitated access to free Janssen® COVID-19 vaccine. All participants were reimbursed $5 for this interview, regardless of whether or not they chose to be vaccinated. Poisson regression was used to evaluate the effect of the pop-up clinic on COVID-19 vaccination uptake, controlling forpotential confounders.ResultsOf 344 participants, 136 (39.5%) reported having received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose during the 10 months follow-up period, of whom 113 (83.1%) received vaccine at the pop-up clinic and 23 (16.9%) elsewhere. One third of those receiving COVID-19 vaccine during the pop-up clinic were previously vaccine hesitant. Attending the pop-up clinic was independently associated with higher rates of COVID-19 vaccination Adjusted Rate Ratio (AdjRR: 9.15; 95% CI: 5.68–14.74).ConclusionsWe observed a significant increase in COVID-19 vaccine uptake associated with attending a temporary pop-up vaccine clinic in Tijuana suggesting that efforts to improve vaccination in this vulnerable population should include convenient locations and staff who have experience working with substance using populations. Since COVID-19 vaccination rates remain sub-optimal, sustained interventions to increase uptake are needed.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

COVID-19 vaccine uptake among people who inject drugs in Tijuana Mexico

Vera

Munoz

Artamónova

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…People with substance use disorders, including people who inject drugs (PWID), are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe disease yet have suboptimal rates of COVID-19 testing and vaccination [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Studies by our team and others have identified multilevel barriers to COVID-19 testing and vaccination among PWID, including low COVID-19 knowledge and perceived risk, institutional mistrust, addiction-related stigma, and other structural barriers to healthcare access and utilization (e.g., homelessness, limited transportation) [9][10][11][12][13]. Preliminary analyses from our ongoing, binational cohort study in the San Diego-Tijuana border region found that one third of PWID in San Diego County had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 as of June, 2021; among these individuals, two thirds had never been tested for COVID-19, and only 3% had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial to increase COVID-19 testing and vaccination among people who inject drugs in San Diego County

Bazzi

Vera

Buesig-Stamos

et al. 2022

Addict Sci Clin Pract

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background People who inject drugs (PWID) have low rates of COVID-19 testing and vaccination and are vulnerable to severe disease. We partnered with a local, community-based syringe service program (SSP) in San Diego County, CA, to develop the single-session theory- and evidence-informed “LinkUP” intervention to increase COVID-19 testing and vaccination. This paper details the protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the LinkUP intervention. Methods With significant community input into study design considerations, including through our Community and Scientific Advisory Board, the LinkUP pilot RCT leverages an ongoing cohort study with adult (≥ 18 years) PWID in San Diego County to recruit participants who have not recently undergone voluntary COVID-19 testing and are unvaccinated. Eligible participants are referred to SSP locations randomized to offer the active intervention (involving tailored education, motivational interviewing, and problem-solving strategies) or a didactic attention-control condition (information sharing only). Both conditions are delivered by trained peer counselors hired by the SSP and were designed to be delivered at mobile (outdoor) SSP sites in ~ 30 min. Intake data assesses COVID-19 testing and vaccination history, health status, and harm reduction needs (to facilitate SSP referrals). At the end of either intervention condition, peer counselors offer onsite rapid COVID-19 antigen testing and COVID-19 vaccination referrals. Out-take and follow-up data (via SSP and state health department record linkages) confirms whether participants received the intervention, COVID-19 testing (and results) onsite or within six months, and vaccination referrals (and uptake) within six months. Planned analyses, which are not powered to assess efficacy, will provide adequate precision for effect size estimates for primary (COVID-19 testing) and secondary (vaccination) intervention outcomes. Findings will be disseminated widely including to local health authorities, collaborating agencies, and community members. Discussion Lessons from this community-based pilot study include the importance of gathering community input into study design, cultivating research-community partnerships based on mutual respect and trust, and maintaining frequent communication regarding unexpected events (e.g., police sweeps, neighborhood opposition). Findings may support the adoption of COVID-19 testing and vaccination initiatives implemented through SSPs and other community-based organizations serving vulnerable populations of people impacted by substance use and addiction. Trial registration This trial was registered prospectively at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier NCT05181657).

show abstract

“…While COVID-19 vaccination is a critical strategy for reducing the impacts of the pandemic (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), some research has shown that COVID-19 vaccine uptake among PWID has lagged behind that of the general population ( Menza et al, 2022 , Strathdee et al, 2021b ), aligning with studies finding low rates of vaccination among PWID for influenza, HPV, and hepatitis B ( Price et al, 2021 , Sadang et al, 2021 , Feinberg and Pearce, 2021 ). In studies among PWID in diverse settings including the United States, Mexico, and Australia, vaccine hesitancy is a prominent concern that may be tied to socio-economic factors (e.g., education), beliefs about COVID-19 (including COVID-19 disinformation), and concerns about safety and side effects ( Strathdee et al, 2021b , Cioffi et al, 2022 , Iversen et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%