Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Reach Disadvantaged Populations and Increase Vaccination Rates

COVID-19 vaccines are a critical intervention for controlling the spread of COVID-19 and may be administered at fixed clinic locations or mobile clinics. This study compares the demographics of the populations vaccinated at fixed and mobile clinics to investigate whether mobile clinics vaccinate a different population from fixed clinics and to assess whether mobile clinics improve vaccination rate and success. A retrospective chart review was conducted for all COVID-19 vaccinations (N=325 988) administered by a major Hawai'i health care provider at its affiliated fixed and mobile clinics between January 2021 and May 2022. Data collected included location of vaccination, age, sex, primary race, health insurance provider, and billing zip code. Mobile clinics vaccinated younger patients on average (P<.001). Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (risk-adjusted odds ratio = 2.03, 95% CI=1.96, 2.11) as well as those with non-commercial health insurance (risk-adjusted odds ratio = 4.26, 95% CI = 4.02,4.51) were most likely to be vaccinated at a mobile clinic rather than a fixed clinic, as compared to White patients. The differences between the patient populations vaccinated at fixed and mobile clinics suggest that mobile clinics may be a useful tool in expanding the reach of vaccination efforts to a more demographically diverse patient population.