Uptake and adverse reactions of COVID-19 vaccination among people living with HIV in China: a case–control study

ABSTRACT

Objectives

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to ravage the world. People living with HIV (PLHIV) are one of the most vulnerable groups. This study aims to identify the factors associated with the uptake and adverse reactions of COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods

We recruited PLHIV in China by convenience sampling between 7 and 23 February 2021. Participants were asked to complete an online questionnaire. Chi-squared test and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess factors associated with vaccine uptake.

Results

A total of 527 vaccinated and 1091 unvaccinated PLHIV were recruited. Individuals who had a higher education, engaged in occupations with a higher risk of COVID-19 infection, received influenza or pneumonia vaccine in the past 3 years (5.40, 3.36–8.77), believed in the effectiveness of vaccines (3.01, 2.20–4.12), and received media information regarding COVID-19 vaccine (2.23, 1.61–3.11), were more likely to be vaccinated. Concerning about adverse reactions (0.31, 0.22–0.44), negative impact on the progression of HIV/AIDS (0.36, 0.26–0.50) or antiretroviral therapy (ART) (0.61, 0.44–0.85), disclosure of HIV infection status (0.69, 0.49–0.96), comorbidities (0.33, 0.22–0.47), being unmarried (0.43, 0.28–0.66) and older age were negatively associated with vaccination. Of the 527 vaccinated PLHIV, 155 (29.4%) PLHIV reported adverse reactions, with pain at the injection site being the most common (18.2%).

Conclusions

PLHIV, who are concerned about adverse reactions, negative impact on ART outcome and disclosure of HIV infection status, were less likely to adopt COVID-19 vaccination. To increase vaccination coverage among PLHIV, health-care professionals should emphasize the benefits and necessity of vaccination and provide consultancy regarding adverse reactions.

KEYWORDS:

• PLHIV
• COVID-19 vaccination
• vaccine uptake
• adverse reactions

Author contributions

This study was conceived and designed by Junjie Xu, Hui Wang, and Huachun Zou in consultation with the other authors. Hui Li and Jianzhou Yang were responsible for the field study. Heping Zhao and Weiran Zheng were responsible for data compilation and data analysis. All authors have contributed to the interpretation of the data and study findings. Heping Zhao, Jianzhou Yang, Weiran Zheng, and Yuqing Hu drafted the manuscript with all authors critically reviewing the paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China Excellent Young Scientists Fund [82022064], Natural Science Foundation of China International/Regional Research Collaboration Project [72061137001], Natural Science Foundation of China Young Scientist Fund [81703278], the National Science and Technology Major Project of China [2018ZX10721102], the Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen [SZSM201811071], the High Level Project of Medicine in Longhua, Shenzhen [HLPM201907020105], the National Key Research and Development Program of China [2020YFC0840900], the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission Basic Research Program [JCYJ20190807155409373], Special Support Plan for High-Level Talents of Guangdong Province [2019TQ05Y230], the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [58000-31620005], Non-profit Centrol Research Institute Fund of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences [2020]. The Science and Technology Innovation Committee of Shenzhen Municipality [JCYJ20170412151650600 to H.W.]. Academic technology leader project of Changzhi Medical College [Grant No. XSQ201902]. All funding parties did not have any role in the design of the study or in the explanation of the data.