Pediatr Infect Dis J . Variables Associated With COVID-19 Vaccination Among Israeli Adolescents and the Need for Targeted Interventions

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Pediatr Infect Dis J


. 2022 Aug 12.
doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000003664. Online ahead of print.
Variables Associated With COVID-19 Vaccination Among Israeli Adolescents and the Need for Targeted Interventions


Vered Shkalim Zemer ^{1 2} , Zachi Grossman ^{3 4} , Herman Avner Cohen ^{2 5} , Moshe Hoshen ^{1 6} , Maya Gerstein ^{2 5} , Yael Richenberg ¹ , Eyal Jacobson ¹ , Roy Grosu ¹ , Noga Yosef ¹ , Moriya Cohen ⁷ , Shai Ashkenazi ³



Affiliations

• PMID: 35980828
• DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000003664

Abstract

Background: We aimed to elucidate variables associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine compliance in adolescents and devise targeted interventions. Our secondary aim was to compare the rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, hospitalizations and deaths between vaccinated and unvaccinated adolescents.
Methods: A retrospective review of electronic medical records was performed on all adolescents 12-17 years of age registered at Clalit Health District in Israel during January 1, 2021, to November 18, 2021, with characterization by vaccination status against COVID-19. Univariate and multivariable analyses were employed to identify predictors of vaccination.
Results: Of the 43,919 subjects included in the study, 28,207 (64.2%) were vaccinated. Non-ultraorthodox Jewish adolescents had a higher vaccination rate than the minorities Arabs or ultraorthodox Jews (72.5%, 66.2% and 40.5%, respectively, P < 0.001). Adolescents of high socioeconomic status had nearly 2-fold higher vaccination rates than those of low socioeconomic status (80.4% vs 42.3%; P < 0.0001). Adolescents 16-17 years old had a higher rate of COVID-19 vaccination than those 12-15 years old (72.5% vs 60.6%, P < 0.001), as were girls versus boys (64.7% vs 63.8%, P = 0.047). Multivariate analysis identified 3 independent variables that were significantly (P < 0.001) associated with low vaccination: ultraorthodox sector, Arab population, and underlying obesity (hazard rations 0.42, 0.72 and 0.84, respectively). Vaccination was significantly associated with reduced severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, hospitalization and death (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: This study highlights several pediatric populations with low COVID-19 vaccine compliance. Targeted interventions aimed at these populations are suggested with consideration of their special cultural, social and societal characteristics.