TY - JOUR
T1 - Sociodemographic and socioeconomic disparities in COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Belgium
T2 - a nationwide record linkage study
AU - Cavillot, Lisa
AU - van Loenhout, Joris A F
AU - Devleesschauwer, Brecht
AU - Wyndham-Thomas, Chloé
AU - Van Oyen, Herman
AU - Ghattas, Jinane
AU - Blot, Koen
AU - Van den Borre, Laura
AU - Billuart, Matthieu
AU - Speybroeck, Niko
AU - De Pauw, Robby
AU - Stouten, Veerle
AU - Catteau, Lucy
AU - Hubin, Pierre
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was supported by the Belgian Federal Authorities through funding for the LINK-VACC project on vaccine surveillance. In addition, Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) funded this research within the BRAIN-be 2.0 framework supporting Pillar 3 Federal Societal Challenges (grant number B2/202/P3/HELICON). The sponsors did not have a role in the conduction of the study, the writing of the manuscript or in the decision to submit it for publication.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
PY - 2023/12/26
Y1 - 2023/12/26
N2 - BACKGROUND: Recent studies have identified important social inequalities in SARS-CoV-2 infections and related COVID-19 outcomes in the Belgian population. The aim of our study was to investigate the sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics associated with the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine in Belgium.METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the uptake of a first COVID-19 vaccine dose among 5 342 110 adults (≥18 years) in Belgium on 31 August 2021. We integrated data from four national data sources: the Belgian vaccine register (vaccination status), COVID-19 Healthdata (laboratory test results), DEMOBEL (sociodemographic/socioeconomic data) and the Common Base Register for HealthCare Actors (individuals licensed to practice a healthcare profession in Belgium). We used multivariable logistic regression analysis for identifying characteristics associated with not having obtained a first COVID-19 vaccine dose in Belgium and for each of its three regions (Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia).RESULTS: During the study period, 10% (536 716/5 342 110) of the Belgian adult population included in our study sample was not vaccinated with a first COVID-19 vaccine dose. A lower COVID-19 vaccine uptake was found among young individuals, men, migrants, single parents, one-person households and disadvantaged socioeconomic groups (with lower levels of income and education, unemployed). Overall, the sociodemographic and socioeconomic disparities were comparable for all regions.CONCLUSIONS: The identification of sociodemographic and socioeconomic disparities in COVID-19 vaccination uptake is critical to develop strategies guaranteeing a more equitable vaccination coverage of the Belgian adult population.
AB - BACKGROUND: Recent studies have identified important social inequalities in SARS-CoV-2 infections and related COVID-19 outcomes in the Belgian population. The aim of our study was to investigate the sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics associated with the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine in Belgium.METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the uptake of a first COVID-19 vaccine dose among 5 342 110 adults (≥18 years) in Belgium on 31 August 2021. We integrated data from four national data sources: the Belgian vaccine register (vaccination status), COVID-19 Healthdata (laboratory test results), DEMOBEL (sociodemographic/socioeconomic data) and the Common Base Register for HealthCare Actors (individuals licensed to practice a healthcare profession in Belgium). We used multivariable logistic regression analysis for identifying characteristics associated with not having obtained a first COVID-19 vaccine dose in Belgium and for each of its three regions (Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia).RESULTS: During the study period, 10% (536 716/5 342 110) of the Belgian adult population included in our study sample was not vaccinated with a first COVID-19 vaccine dose. A lower COVID-19 vaccine uptake was found among young individuals, men, migrants, single parents, one-person households and disadvantaged socioeconomic groups (with lower levels of income and education, unemployed). Overall, the sociodemographic and socioeconomic disparities were comparable for all regions.CONCLUSIONS: The identification of sociodemographic and socioeconomic disparities in COVID-19 vaccination uptake is critical to develop strategies guaranteeing a more equitable vaccination coverage of the Belgian adult population.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85184795088&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1136/jech-2023-220751
DO - 10.1136/jech-2023-220751
M3 - Article
C2 - 38148149
VL - 78
SP - 176
EP - 183
JO - Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
JF - Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
SN - 0143-005X
IS - 3
ER -