Data snapshot: Fall Covid vaccine uptake and intentions by demographic.
New CDC survey data show that most US residents intend to get a dose of the new updated Covid-19 vaccine this fall. But rates vary by demographic, from race and ethnicity, to age, economic status, and by orientation (such as straight versus gay/lesbian/bisexual/other or cis- versus transgender status).
Overall, just 7.1% of respondents said they’ve received the recently updated Covid-19 booster, as of mid-October. But another 55.4% said they intend to get one. Over one-fifth of seniors ages 75 and older have received the boost, and another 62.1% reported they will (or probably will), which would be a total of >82%.
The differences by race/ethnicity are worth a look. Asian, Black, and Hispanic people have the highest rates of either having received or intending to receive a vaccine. White and American Indian/Alaska Native people have the lowest rates.
What’s quite interesting, though, is the disconnect between having gotten a dose and the intention to do so. Of those who intend to receive a fall dose, very few have. Below, I’ve teased out what percentage in each group has gotten a dose already this fall (left dot) and how many more have not but say they likely will (right dot).
Are these gulfs between receipt and intent reflections of decreased access/difficulty getting the vaccine? Maybe. We’ve certainly heard of people having trouble getting a dose. But I would note that Asian people have very low uptake so far, and that is a group that has high vaccine rates in general, high rates of interest in the CDC’s new survey data, and generally finds a way to get vaccinated. So, it is possible that people have heard the message that the vaccine is only effective against infection for a short while (and that its maximal effect is brief) and they are waiting for November and December to get their shot. That makes some sense, as yearly Covid levels peaked in January of 2021, 2022, and 2023. Meanwhile, it’s nice to see the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population leading the way so far on percentage of survey participants who have already gotten a dose. This is a group that has faced many disparities during the pandemic.
But it’s probably more than that. As Inside Medicine data guru Benjy Renton pointed out to me, the gap between uninsured and insured people in the CDC survey seems telling. Nearly 61% of uninsured and 63% of insured respondents said they either had received a fall shot, or intended to get one. But digging in, just 1.7% of uninsured people and 7.8% of insured people have gotten an actual dose. That gap suggests that access (or the belief that cost could be an issue) is playing a role here.
There’s more to cull from the data. Below is all of the CDC’s data for this fall of 2023, presented as a table. Note that the first four columns add up to 100% and the far right two columns also add up to 100%; the furthest right column is the sum of the first three.
Notice differences in so many demographics. Men have lower interest (but higher risk). Younger people have lower interest (but, in all fairness, lower risk). Rural dwellers have less interest. People below the poverty level have less interest (another higher-risk group). People who are not straight and transgender people have higher interest. This reflects a population that has good health literacy—and that we’ve made progress in pushing back against medical mistrust in those communities.
Are you someone who intends to get an updated fall Covid vaccine but has not yet? Tell us why? Are you waiting to maximize benefit? Or is it just a matter of logistics? Procrastination?Worries about cost? Share your thoughts below.
Thanks to Benjy Renton for suggesting this post and helping me with the graphics.
I got an updated shot as soon as possible back in September: the process was fraught with cancellations and insurance issues. I was very strongly motivated and persevered, it wasn't easy. Recently my spouse got a flu shot at our physician's office and there was a facility charge! Billing told me to go to CVS in the future. Medicare Advantage. As reported on STAT, it's just too hard. When we did go to CVS: the only masked people and the staff were stretched so thin and it was not a pleasant experience. And we're well insured, medical professionals and motivated. The barriers are high.
After getting all mRNA vaccines previously I have been waiting for Novavax and it is now becoming more available. I wanted to have coverage over the holidays so have delayed getting it. I went to Costco, which was the first place I had heard Novavax was in stock and I was told my insurance was out of network. I told them to bill Medicare and not my supplement plan and they refused. To avoid chaos I left without getting it and called them the next day to clarify and was told their employee was incorrect and that I should come back but only give them my Medicare card. I tried my local CVS (my in network provider) and was told they never know when the Novavax is coming and it expires quickly once open. CVS’s online appointment website says to check with the pharmacist if you want Novavax, so there was no way to sign up online for Novavax. I went to Costco and gave them my Medicare card only and got my Novavax two weeks after I intended to get it.