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Examining the Intersections of Race/Ethnicity and Rurality of Residence on COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake
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  • Shiba Bailey,
  • Jan Ostermann,
  • Sayward Harrison,
  • Bankole Olatosi,
  • Gabrielle M. Turner-McGrievy,
  • Jiajia Zhang,
  • Peiyin Hung
Shiba Bailey
University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Jan Ostermann
University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health
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Sayward Harrison
University of South Carolina College of Arts and Sciences
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Bankole Olatosi
University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health
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Gabrielle M. Turner-McGrievy
University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center
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Jiajia Zhang
University of South Carolina Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
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Peiyin Hung
University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health
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Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 vaccination uptake by rurality of residence. Methods: The study used national data derived from the Understanding America Study – a national probability sample of US adults – who completed online COVID-19 surveys between December 2020 and January 2023. Variations in vaccination uptake by race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, other race) and rurality of residence (urban, suburban, rural) were examined using a multivariable logistic model with interactions of race/ethnicity and rurality of residence. Analyses incorporated survey weights. Findings: As of January 15, 2023, 76.5% (6,133 of 7,540 adults) had received at least one COVID-19 vaccination, with substantial variations in vaccination uptake rates by rurality of residence and race/ethnicity. In rural areas, vaccination uptake among non-Hispanic Black individuals was higher (average predicted probability: 62.3% [95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 58.16, 66.35]) than among non-Hispanic White individuals (86.5% [95% CI = 74.91, 98.01] p = 0.001). However, in urban areas, vaccination uptake was similar for both groups. In urban areas, Hispanic individuals were more likely to take up vaccination (86.6%, [95% CI = 82.78, 90.58]) than their non-Hispanic White counterparts (urban: 82.3%, [95% CI = 79.98, 84.70] p = 0.016). Rural Hispanic and non-Hispanic-White vaccination uptake rates were not significantly different. Conclusions: Racial/ethnic disparities in COVID-19 vaccination uptake differed by rurality of residence. Identifying the reasons underlying differential rates of COVID-19 vaccination uptake is imperative for the development of effective strategies to broadly improve vaccination uptake in the event of future pandemics.