Sociodemographic and socioeconomic disparities in COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Belgium: a nationwide record linkage study

Cavillot, Lisa;van Loenhout, Joris;Devleesschauwer, Brecht;Wyndham-Thomas, Chloé;Hubin, Pierre;et.al.
(2023) Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health : an international peer-reviewed journal for health professionals and researchers in all areas of epidemiology — Vol. 78, n° 3, p. 176-183 (2023)

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Authors
  • Cavillot, Lisaorcid-logoUCLouvain
    Author
  • van Loenhout, Jorisorcid-logo
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  • Devleesschauwer, Brecht
    Author
  • Wyndham-Thomas, Chloé
    Author
  • Ghattas, JinaneUCLouvain
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  • Speybroeck, NikoUCLouvain
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  • Hubin, Pierre
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Abstract
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
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Cavillot, L., van Loenhout, J., Devleesschauwer, B., Wyndham-Thomas, C., Van Oyen, H., Ghattas, J., Blot, K., Van den Borre, L., Billuart, M., Speybroeck, N., De Pauw, R., Stouten, V., Catteau, L., & Hubin, P. (2023). Sociodemographic and socioeconomic disparities in COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Belgium: a nationwide record linkage study. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health : an international peer-reviewed journal for health professionals and researchers in all areas of epidemiology, 78(3), 176-183. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2023-220751 (Original work published 2023)