High but Inequitable COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Rehabilitation Patients

There is a paucity of studies evaluating vaccine uptake in adults with neurological and musculoskeletal medical conditions. We sought to evaluate the rates of COVID-19 vaccine uptake in patients seen in an outpatient rehabilitation clinic.

We conducted a retrospective, single center study of adults seen at an outpatient rehabilitation clinic from December 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, with an active Wisconsin Immunization Registry record. The primary outcome was completion of a COVID-19 primary vaccine series.

Of 1362 patients, 83.3% completed a COVID-19 vaccination series. Younger patients had increased odds of not completing a COVID-19 vaccination series (mean [SD] 46.7 [14.7] vs 54.3 [15.8]; OR 1.03; 95% CI, 1.02-1.04; P < 0.001). Those who identified as non-White (1.88; 95% CI, 1.16-3.04; P = 0.010) or current smoker (1.85, 95% CI, 1.85-2.79; P = 0.004) had increased odds of not completing a COVID-19 vaccination series. Those who resided in rural ZIP codes (1.81; 95% CI, 1.35-2.43; P < 0.001), had not received a 2019-2020 influenza vaccine (5.13; 95% CI, 3.79-6.96; P < 0.001), or had lower comorbidity scores (2.95; 95% CI, 1.98-4.41; P < 0.001) had higher odds of not completing a COVID-19 vaccination series.

There was a high rate of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among patients seen in a rehabilitation clinic, though racial, ethnic, and geographic differences did exist. Further studies are needed to determine why these disparities exist and investigate interventions to increase vaccine uptake in these populations.