Willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccination in people living with HIV/AIDS from Latin America

Abstract

Background Prior research has established some risk factors for an increased risk of severe disease and mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the impact of HIV infection on SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and severity is a significant gap in the literature. In the same way, not many studies across the globe have analyzed the degree of vaccination willingness among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and considerations regarding prioritizing this population during vaccination plans, particularly in developing countries. Methods A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Self-completed electronic surveys directed to PLWHA were performed via Twitter in February 2021, using accounts of HIV activists. Results 460 (87.1%) participants were willing to be vaccinated with any COVID-19 vaccine. The reasons for that were listed as 1) the belief that vaccination prevents both the COVID-19 infection (81.3%) as well as being a spreader (52.2%); 2) having a high occupational risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 (22%); and 3) the belief that they would be at high risk of death because of COVID-19 (21.3%). Only 56 (10.6%) participants expressed hesitancy toward vaccination, and 12 (2.2%) stated they did not want to get vaccinated. Conclusions Our results may support the prioritization of people living with HIV during the implementation of vaccination plans in developing countries. New strategies should be adopted to overcome the hesitancy and unwillingness toward the COVID-19 vaccination, especially in populations with risk factors for severe disease.