High Primary COVID-19 Vaccine Series Completion by People Who Inject Drugs When Colocating Services at a Syringe Services Van.
J Addict Med
; 17(5): e287-e289, 2023.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37788618
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of the study is to describe the impact of colocating COVID-19 vaccinations with local syringe service programs on vaccine completion among people who inject drugs.METHODS:
Data were derived from 6 community-based clinics. People who inject drugs who received at least one COVID-19 vaccine from a colocated clinic partnering with a local syringe service program were included in the study. Vaccine completion was abstracted from electronic medical records; additional vaccinations were abstracted using health information exchanges embedded within the electronic medical records.RESULTS:
Overall, 142 individuals with a mean age of 51 years, predominantly male (72%) and Black, non-Hispanic (79%) received COVID-19 vaccines. More than half elected to receive a 2-dose mRNA vaccine (51.4%). Eighty-five percent completed a primary series, and 71% of those who received a mRNA vaccine completed the 2-dose series. Booster uptake was 34% in those completing a primary series.CONCLUSIONS:
Colocated clinics are an effective means of reaching vulnerable populations. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and need for annual booster vaccines arises, it is important to bolster public support and funding to continue low-barrier preventive clinics colocated with harm reduction services for this population.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Drug Users
/
COVID-19
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
J Addict Med
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article