Combined COVID-19 vaccination and hepatitis C virus screening intervention in marginalised populations in Spain

Abstract

Abstract Background: COVID-19 has hindered HCV and HIV screening, particularly in marginalised groups, who have some of the highest rates of these conditions and lowest rates of COVID-19 vaccination. We assessed the acceptability of combining HCV testing with COVID-19 vaccination in a centre for addiction services (CAS) in Barcelona and a mobile testing unit (MTU) in Madrid, Spain. Methods: From 28/09/2021-30/06/2022, 187 adults from marginalised populations were offered HCV antibody (Ab) testing along with COVID-19 vaccination. If HCV Ab+, they were tested for HCV-RNA. MTU participants were screened for HIV, per the standard of care. HCV-RNA+ and HIV+ participants not on ART were offered treatment. Results: Findings show how of the 86 CAS participants: 93% had been previously vaccinated for COVID-19, of whom 90% had the full first round schedule; none had a COVID-19 vaccine booster and all received a COVID-19 vaccine; 62.8% were tested for HCV Ab, of whom 31.5% were positive, of whom all were tested for HCV-RNA and none were positive. Of the 101 MTU participants: none had been vaccinated for COVID-19 and all received a COVID-19 vaccine; all were tested for HCV Ab and HIV and 14.9% and 8.9% were positive, respectively; of those HCV Ab+, nine (60%) were HCV-RNA+, of whom eight (88.9%) have started treatment; five (55.6%) of those HIV+ had abandoned ART, of whom three (60%) have re-started it. Conclusions: The intervention had an acceptability rate of 62.8% at the CAS and 100% at the MTU and can be used in marginalised communities.