COVID-19 vaccination more likely with provider recommendation

(HealthDay)—Adults who receive a provider recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination are more likely to have received one or more doses of COVID-19 vaccine, according to research published in the Dec. 17 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Kimberly H. Nguyen, Dr.P.H., from the CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, and colleagues analyzed data from the National Immunization Survey-Adult COVID Module to examine the prevalence of report of a provider recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination and its association with COVID-19 vaccination coverage and attitudes.

The researchers found that the prevalence of report of a provider recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination among adults increased from 34.6 to 40.5 percent during April 22 to May 29 and Aug. 29 to Sept. 25, 2021, respectively. The likelihood of having received one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine was increased for adults who reported a provider recommendation for COVD-19 vaccination versus those who did not receive a recommendation (77.6 versus 61.9 percent; adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.12). Report of a provider recommendation was associated with concern about COVID-19, belief that COVID-19 vaccines are important to protect oneself, belief that COVID-19 vaccination is very or completely safe, and the perception that many or all of one's family and friends had received a COVID-19 vaccination (adjusted prevalence ratios, 1.31, 1.15, 1.17, and 1.19, respectively).

"Empowering health care providers to recommend COVID-19 vaccines at every visit and reducing barriers to health care access could increase confidence in vaccines and COVID-19 vaccination coverage," the authors write.

One author disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

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