COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage, Behaviors, and Intentions among Adults with Previous Diagnosis, United States

To determine the extent of gaps in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine coverage among those in the United States with and without previous COVID-19 diagnoses, we used data from a large, nationally representative survey conducted during July 21-August 2, 2021. We analyzed vaccine receipt (>= 1 dose and full vaccination) and intention to be vaccinated for 63,266 persons. Vaccination receipt was lower among those who had a prior diagnosis of COVID-19 compared to those without: >1 dose: 73% and 85%, respectively, p<0.001; full vaccination: 69% and 82%, respectively, p<0.001). Reluctance to be vaccinated was higher among those with a previous COVID-19 diagnosis (14%) than among those without (9%). These findings suggest the need to focus educational and confidence-building interventions on adults who receive a COVID-19 diagnosis during clinic visits, or at the time of discharge if hospitalized, and to better educate the public about the value of being vaccinated, regardless of previous COVID-19 infection.

Automated summary

There are gaps in COVID-19 vaccine coverage in the United States, with lower vaccination rates among individuals with previous COVID-19 diagnoses and higher vaccine hesitancy among them. It is important to focus on adults who receive a COVID-19 diagnosis during clinic visits or at the time of discharge if hospitalized and educate the public about the value of being vaccinated regardless of previous infection.