WMJ Vol 122 Issue 5: High but Inequitable COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Rehabilitation Patients
ABSTRACT
Introduction: 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.
Methods: 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.
Results: 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.
Conclusions: 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.
Intended Audience
The target audience for this journal-based activity is healthcare providers caring for the people and communities of Wisconsin and beyond.
Learning Objectives
As a result of this journal-based activity, learners, as members of the healthcare team, will be able to
- Summarize data from the prior research on healthcare disparities in patients with neurological and musculoskeletal conditions and disparities in COVID-19 vaccine uptake reviewed in this article.
- Discuss the rates of COVID-19 vaccine uptake documented by this retrospective study of adult patients with neurological or musculoskeletal chronic medical conditions seen in an outpatient rehabilitation clinic.
- Summarize the study findings regarding racial, ethnic, and geographic differences in the rates of COVID-19 vaccine uptake as they apply to the patient population served by the learner’s healthcare team.
FACULTY DISCLOSURE
It is the policy of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership (ICEP) to identify, mitigate and disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* held by the speakers/presenters, authors, planners, and other persons who may influence content of this accredited continuing education (CE). In addition, speakers, presenters and authors must disclose any planned discussion of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices during their presentation.
For this accredited continuing education activity all relevant financial relationships have been mitigated and detailed disclosures are listed below.
Name of Individual | Individual's Role in Activity | Financial Relationship Disclosure | Discussion of |
Alyssa Warden | Author | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
Jonathan Liang | Author | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
Kaitlyn J, Vanias | Author | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
Scott Hetzel | Author | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
Mary S. Hayney | Author | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
Jennifer M. Weiss | Author | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
Freddy Caldera | Author | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
Kristin Caldera | Author | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
George MacKinnon III | Reviewer | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
Robin Helm | Reviewer | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
John Smith | Reviewe | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
Mary Link | Reviewer | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
Sarah Milton | Reviewer | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
Fahad Aziz | Editor | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
Shezad Baloch | Accreditation Specialist | No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose | No |
*Ineligible companies are those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on, patients.
The ACCME does not consider providers of clinical services directly to patients to be ineligible companies.
Accreditation
Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP and the Wisconsin Medical Journal. The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. |
Credit Designation Statements
American Medical Association (AMA)
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this journal-based CE activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this activity for a maximum of 1.0 hours or 0.1 CEUs. Credit can be earned by documented attendance during the session. Credit will be provided to NABP CPE Monitor within 60 days after the activity completion.
UAN: JA0000358-9999-24-077-H04-P
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this journal-based CE activity for a maximum of 1.0 ANCC contact hours .
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until XXEND DAY OF YOUR COURSE -xxMonth xxday, xxyear. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. |
Continuing Education Units
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP, as a member of the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), authorizes this program for 0.1 continuing education units (CEUs) or 1 hour.
Available Credit
- 1.00 AAPA Category 1 CME
- 1.00 ACPE Contact Hours - Pharmacist
- 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 1.00 ANCC Contact Hours
- 1.00 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
- 1.00 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
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Accessibility
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